Gatwick grenade suspect remanded

Hasil Mohammed Rahaham-Alan faces three charges

A man arrested at Gatwick Airport allegedly carrying a live grenade in his baggage has been remanded in custody for a week.

Hasil Mohammed Rahaham-Alan, 37, from Venezuela, appeared at Bow Street Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with terrorism offences.

Customs officials stopped him after he flew in to the UK from the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on a British Airways jet last Thursday.

Gatwick's north terminal was evacuated and closed for several hours last Thursday after Mr Rahaham-Alan was stopped.

Mr Rahaham-Alan faced three charges:

possession of a grenade for possible terrorist purposes, contrary to section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act

possession of an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or damage property, contrary to the same act

carrying a dangerous article on a British registered aircraft.

The defendant, bearded and with long black hair, was dressed in a blue jumper.

He stood and spoke softly to give his full name, date of birth and an address in Caracas.

During the five-minute hearing, he sat in the dock with a police officer and a female Spanish interpreter.

Mr Rahaham-Alan's lawyer, Peter Corrigan, said his client could understand the proceedings in English but the interpreter was there to help and clarify.

No application for bail was made and Mr Rahaham-Alan was remanded in custody until 24 February.