"Spain terror arrests put paragliding in spotlight" by Alan Clendenning | Associated Press, August 08, 2012
MADRID — The history of terror plots is filled with unusual schemes, from an underwear bomber to model planes filled with explosives — showing how would-be attackers are constantly hatching ideas to catch authorities by surprise.
Related: Who Thinks Up Terror Attacks?
Now questions are being raised about whether two Russians held on terror charges in Spain were planning to launch airborne attacks from paragliders.
I'm sure they would have made it across the channel and have evaded the missile defenses, aren't you?
The two took paragliding lessons this year in a southern Spanish region renowned for the sport, authorities said over the weekend. A Turkish engineer also under arrest paid for the lessons....
Paragliding pilots said in interviews that the Russians probably would not have raised red flags at paragliding schools....
Related: Sunday Globe Special: European Exodus
No paraglider attacks have been carried out, analysts said.
However, paragliding did feature in one recent stunt by an environmentalist that must have given chills to authorities.
The activist was arrested in May after dropping a billowing smoke bomb onto the roof of a French nuclear reactor. Video footage captured the airborne activist on a motorized paraglider after he dropped the smoke bomb, with his glider’s parachute-like wing emblazoned with ‘‘Greenpeace.’’
--more--"
I must admit, readers, I LET OUT a BIG LAUGH when I saw the story.
