The British man who allegedly carried explosives in his shoes on a flight is set to be charged by the United States with attempted murder. Richard Reid will also be charged with the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.
Mr Reid was overpowered by passengers and crew on the American Airlines flight, after an attendant saw him apparently trying to set his shoes on fire.
The United States is also claiming that Mr Reid received training from Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan.
In a separate development, an American citizen who allegedly fought with the Taliban in Afghanistan is to be charged in a civilian court. John Walker Lindh is to be charged with conspiracy to kill United States nationals and providing support for a terrorist organisation.
The 20-year-old is currently being held aboard a US warship in the Arabian Sea but he is due to be handed over to the FBI shortly. The US Attorney General, John Ashcroft, said that Mr Walker escaped being charged with treason, which carries a possible death penalty, because of the extremely high standard of proof required. Mr Ashcroft said that further charges could follow.
