American FBI agent faces trial in Pakistan after being arrested carrying bullets, knives, and a wrench onto a plane

By Associated Press and Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 07:09 EST, 7 May 2014 | Updated: 08:36 EST, 7 May 2014

Police in Pakistan say they are questioning an American after U.S. authorities said an FBI agent had been arrested.

Agent Joel Cox was arrested Monday carrying 15 9 mm bullets, three small knives, and a wrench, said police superintendent Malir Rao Anwar.

He carrying the weapons while attempting to board a domestic flight between Karachi and Islamabad.

Agent Joel Cox was arrested Monday in Pakistan attempting to board a flight while carrying 15 9 mm bullets, three small knives, and a wrench

Agent Joel Cox was arrested Monday in Pakistan attempting to board a flight while carrying 15 9 mm bullets, three small knives, and a wrench

Each of those items is now at a forensics lab for analysis as is his laptop and cell phone, CNN reported.

Cox was in Pakistan on assignment to provide training to local police, according to an anonymous U.S. law enforcement official.

 

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Diplomats are working with the Pakistani authorities to secure his release.

Cox was in court Tuesday on anti-terrorism charges, restricting the possession of unauthorized weapons or ammunition on commercial flights.

The Washington Post reported that the judge ordered he be detained until at least Saturday so Pakistani officials can investigate.

The arrest was news across Pakistan, with one television station broadcasting footage of him in a jail cell in the country's largest city, Karachi. 

A former FBI agent with experience in Pakistan who spoke with reporters on condition of anonymity said that while agents are allowed to carry weapons there they are not allowed to bring them on civilian aircraft.

U.S. officials said Cox was unarmed and had simply forgotten about the loaded magazine in his bag.

Rao Anwar believes the case should go to trial.

He called it a matter of 'upholding Pakistan's dignity and honor. (Cox) acted illegally and his arrest is perfectly legal.'

While U.S. officials insist it is legal for FBI agents to carry arms on planes when authorized, Pakistani authorities called a trial a matte of upholding the country's 'dignity and honor'

While U.S. officials insist it is legal for FBI agents to carry arms on planes when authorized, Pakistani authorities called a trial a matte of upholding the country's 'dignity and honor'

Multiple Americans have been detained in Pakistan in recent years with charges causing tension between the two countries.

In the most well known case, a CIA contractor was held close to two months in 2011 in connection to the deaths of two men in Lahore.

The agent, Raymond A. Davis, then part of a secret CIA team operating in the eastern city, argued he had acted in self-defense killing the men after they tried to rob him.

That incident sparked violent protest around the country.

Davis was finally freed after an agreement was reached to compensate the victim's relatives.

Comments (3)

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What a fool!

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No doubt he was trying to stir up more trouble and blame the innocent as the CIA and FBI usually do.

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Oh boy. Hope he comes back safely.

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