Qatar embassy says diplomat in airplane bomb scare released after questioning

Qatar diplomat released after plane bomb scare

WASHINGTON — A spokeswoman representing the Qatar embassy says the diplomat who prompted an airplane bomb scare has been released by authorities after questioning.

Spokeswoman Alison Bradley said Thursday the diplomat was on his way back to Washington.

In a statement, Qatar’s ambassador to the U.S. said the diplomat was traveling from Washington to Denver on business when the incident occurred and didn’t do anything threatening.

Authorities speaking on condition of anonymity said they don’t think the man was trying to hurt anyone and he won’t be charged with a crime.

Two law enforcement officials say suspicions arose when the man apparently tried to sneak a smoke in the airplane bathroom. They say he was asked about the smoky smell and joked about trying to light his shoes — leading air marshals to restrain him.

(This version CORRECTS that spokeswoman is with public relations firm representing embassy, not law firm.)