Soldier carrying grenades stopped from boarding plane

An American serviceman was stopped from boarding a flight from Kuwait City to the US on Saturday with two grenades in his luggage.

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KUWAIT CITY // An American serviceman was stopped from boarding a flight to the US on Saturday with two grenades in his luggage, a spokesman for the US Third Army, Lt Col Wayne Marotto, said yesterday.

"He was returning to the US on leave," Lt Col Marotto said. "The Kuwaiti authorities and the US authorities worked in co-operation and made sure the grenades didn't get on the aircraft.

"I don't want to speculate on what was on his mind until the investigation is complete," he said, adding that he did not know if the suspect has been charged.

A Kuwaiti security source said the soldier claimed that he forgot the grenades were in his possession when they were discovered by ministry of interior officials at Kuwait International Airport. The source said the suspect was moved to a police station in Jleeb al Shuwaikh.

Lt Col Marotto said the grenades were discovered in the man's luggage but was unsure if the bag was to be checked in or carried on. "The army will conduct a thorough investigation in the hope something like this never happens again."