British Airways employee in court charged with plotting suicide bombings

BA employee in court on suicide bombing charge

LONDON — A British Airways computer expert was charged Thursday with plotting suicide bombings — including one he allegedly planned to carry out himself.

Prosecutor Colin Gibbs alleged that Bangladesh-born Rajib Karim deliberately sought a job with the airline in order to further an unspecified terrorist conspiracy.

Gibbs told the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court that the 30-year-old plotted with unidentified contacts in his home country, Pakistan, and Yemen over the past four years. He said Karim shared information about his work, including British Airways’ security measures.

Gibbs also said that Karim had offered to join the airline’s cabin crew if a possible strike by BA staff took place.

A statement from the airline said there was “no way an individual could have been considered or selected for a cabin crew role if they did not meet the criteria.”

Karim also is charged with collecting money and sending it to terrorist associates overseas.

Few other details about the alleged plot were made public during the brief procedural hearing Thursday.

Karim spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.