Saudi with pressure cooker in baggage seeks bond


May 20, 2013 at 9:06p.m.

Saudi with pressure cooker in baggage seeks bond

DETROIT (AP) — A Saudi man arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport after federal agents accused him of lying about why he was traveling with a pressure cooker wants to be released on bond.

Thirty-three-year-old Hussain Al Khawahir was arrested May 11, charged with giving false statements to federal agents and possessing an altered passport.

Federal defender James C. Howarth asked a Detroit federal judge today to set bond for Al Khawahir, who initially didn’t seek release.

Howarth says his client didn’t know pressure cookers were used in the Boston Marathon attack and was bringing it for a nephew.

The lawyer says his client contacted Saudi diplomats after the arrest and his government “pledged its support.”