Reuters: EgyptAir mechanic could carry a bomb aboard the Russian A321 in Egypt

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An EgyptAir mechanic whose cousin joined the Islamic State in Syria is suspected of carrying a bomb on board a Russian passenger jet. exploded in the sky over Egypt at the end of October, informed sources said.

According to Russia, the cause of the October 31 disaster, which killed 224 people, was a bomb explosion. Islamic State militants have claimed responsibility for the crash of airliner A321.

To date, Egypt has declared that there is no evidence that the disaster occurred as a result of the actions of extremists.

EgyptAir senior security official denies information about the arrest or suspicion of any of the airline employees. A spokesman for the Egyptian Interior Ministry also said that no one has been detained yet.

However, sources who chose not to disclose names due to the confidentiality of the ongoing investigation reported that a mechanic was detained, as well as two airport police officers and a baggage handling operator suspected of having helped him carry the bomb aboard.

“After learning that a relative of one of the members (of the group) was working at the airport, the Islamic State gave the man a bomb in his bag,” one of the sources said, adding that the suspect’s cousin joined the Islamic State in Syria a year and a half ago. .

“He was told not to ask any questions and to bring the bomb onto the plane.”

Another source said of the other suspects: “Two police officers are suspected of playing a role by turning a blind eye to the operation at one of the security checkpoints. However, there is a possibility that they simply did not do their job properly.”

No cases have yet been filed against any of the four suspects, sources told Reuters.

A senior Egyptian security official said that Egyptian law enforcement agencies checked all employees of Sharm el-Sheikh Airport and found no evidence of their involvement in the crash.

According to him, the country's security service checked the relatives of all workers, and they did not arouse suspicion.

“An employee who shows sympathy for militants will not be allowed to work at any airport,” he told Reuters.

A Home Office source also said there had been no arrests in connection with the crash: “We are awaiting the results of the investigation.”

Earlier, the Islamic State online magazine published a photograph of a Schweppes lemonade can with wires and wrote that this was the improvised explosive device used to blow up the plane.

Previously ForumDaily reportedAll in all, there were 9268 people on board the 224 flight en route from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg - 217 passengers, including 17 children, and seven crew members. Among the passengers were 214 Russians and three Ukrainians.