Bomb-threat emails sent to European airports, signed by "Men's State fighters"
Several European airports, including Sofia and Rome, received emails claiming bombs had been planted. About 20 flights were affected on Thursday, but no explosives were found.
On Thursday, several European airports received emailed threats claiming that explosives had been placed on aircraft and on airport grounds. The news agency AFP has seen the contents of one of the messages. The threats affected about 20 flights, but no explosives were found.
What the letters say
The messages were signed by people calling themselves "Men's State fighters". The text addressed to Sofia airport in Bulgaria claims bombs were placed on three Ryanair aircraft flying to Bulgaria, as well as at the airport itself. The authors write that an explosion would occur in 60 minutes and warn that the "sky will turn red". The letter also refers to a "criminal conspiracy" and a "feminist regime".
ADR, the operator of Rome's airport, confirmed to AFP that it received a similar message. The Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera was the first to report it.
What is known about the authors
A radical organisation called "Men's State" operates in Russia, but AFP cannot confirm that this particular movement sent the letters.
Impact on air traffic
According to the source, the threats were issued again across Europe. About 20 flights were affected in total, and three were diverted to other airports. All aircraft landed without problems, and no explosives were found in any case.
