REPORT: EgyptAir Mechanic Suspected in 2015 MetroJet Crash

PHOTO: Flowers,candles and a toys left at Suvorov square in Moscow, mourning the the victims of Kogalym Avia flight 9268, which crashed on the way from Sharm El-Sheikh to St. Petersburg. (Photo courtesy of Thinkstock)

An EgyptAir mechanic is suspected of placing a bomb on the MetroJet airplane that crashed in Egypt in October 2015, killing all 224 people onboard, according to Reuters.com.

In the Reuters report, sources familiar with the incident have revealed that the mechanic—whose cousin allegedly joined the Islamic State in Syria—has been detained by police, along with two airport policemen and a baggage handler.

One of the sources explained the mechanic’s alleged involvement in the terrorist attack, saying, “After learning that one of its members had a relative that worked at the airport, Islamic State delivered a bomb in a handbag to that person. He was told to not ask any questions and get the bomb on the plane.”

READ MORE: Russian Officials Confirm MetroJet Crash Was Terrorist Attack

A second source told Reuters, “Two policemen are suspected of playing a role by turning a blind eye to the operation at a security checkpoint. But there is a possibility that they were just not doing their jobs properly.”

The sources reported that none of the alleged conspirators have been prosecuted yet. One problem prosecutors will face is that Egypt has still not deemed the MetroJet crash an act of terrorism, despite Russian and many other nations reporting it as an attack.

Reuters reached out to an EgyptAir senior security official who denied that any employees of its company had been arrested or even were under any suspicion from authorities. An Egyptian Interior Ministry official also denied that any arrests had been made.

There is a major underlying issue being raised around the world about Egypt denying that the 2015 MetroJet crash was a terrorist attack. If the country were to admit the plane was taken down by extremists, Egypt could be liable for compensation payments to the families of the victims.

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