Two suspects in a foiled plot to blow up New York's John F Kennedy International Airport appeared in court in Trinidad and Tobago today accused of conspiring to commit terrorism.
Abdul Kadir, a citizen of Guyana and former member of its parliament, and Kareem Ibrahim, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, are among four suspects in the case, which has brought attention to a Caribbean region previously not associated with Islamic radicalism.
"They have been accused of an offence to commit a terrorist act under the laws of the United States," David West, an attorney representing the US government, told the judge.
Mr Kadir and Mr Ibrahim looked calm and kept mostly silent during the 20-minute hearing in which Mr McNichols told them they faced possible extradition to the United States.
Formal extradition proceedings won't take place until a hearing set by McNichols for August 2nd.
There was no request for bail at the hearing in Port of Spain and Rajiv Persad, a lawyer for the defence, said he needed more time to prepare the case.
A third suspect, Russell Defreitas, a US citizen and native of Guyana, was arrested in New York.
US authorities said he was a former airport employee who conducted surveillance for the group, using his knowledge of the site to identify targets and escape routes.