Yemeni immigrant caught trying to board plane with knife

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September 20, 2006

Yemeni immigrant caught trying to board plane with knife seeks lower bond

Ronald J. Hansen The Detroit News

ROMULUS -- A Yemeni immigrant caught with a knife hidden in a book at Detroit Metropolitan Airport had no idea he had the weapon, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Mohammed S. Ghanem of Hamtramck waived a preliminary examination in 34th District Court on a felony charge of possessing a weapon at an airport. His attorney, Nabih Ayad, said it is unclear if his client was the victim of a joke or of an enemy.

Ayad still hopes to strike a plea agreement that will allow Ghanem, 22, to receive probation. The charged crime carries up to 10 years in prison.

State and federal authorities are still investigating the incident, Ayad said.

Ghanem was arrested Sept. 7 while trying to travel to Yemen on a one-way ticket. Ayad said Ghanem planned to find a wife on his trip.

Instead, airport security found a 2 1/2-inch knife embedded in a 4-inch address book with a page glued over it. In the book, authorities found Arabic writing mentioning jihad and a reference to "making the local news," Ayad said outside court.

"He had nothing to hide," Ayad said. "He told them he doesn't know where the hell this knife came from."

Ghanem, who works at a restaurant, didn't buy the book, Ayad said, but found it and began using it for keeping addresses.

For now, Ghanem remains in jail unable to post a $500,000 cash bond.

Ayad had asked to reduce the bond, saying that with no prior criminal record Ghanem could get probation if he pleaded guilty as charged.

Rita Lewis, an assistant Wayne County prosecutor, noted that Ghanem has been in the U.S. only three years and had no intention of returning to this country.

District Judge William Szlinis declined to reduce the bond.

"If I'm going to make a mistake, it's going to be on the side of being conservative," the judge said.

Ayad said he would seek an emergency bond hearing in Wayne Circuit Court.

Ghanem's father, Sultan Ghanem, had glassy eyes after watching his son escorted back into custody. The elder Ghanem said he is a naturalized citizen who has lived in America 10 years.

You can reach Ronald J. Hansen at (313) 222-2019 or rhansen@detnews.com

[curiouspat]

airport security found a 2 1/2-inch knife embedded in a 4-inch address book with a page glued over it. In the book, authorities found Arabic writing mentioning jihad and a reference to "making the local news," Ayad said outside court.

Let's think....a 2 1/2 inch knife embedded in a 4 inch book with a page glued over it???????????????????

Gee, I think I'd notice that, particularly when trying to WRITE in it.