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Probe confirms explosive inside American Airlines passenger's shoes

Investigators have confirmed the presence of an explosive device inside the shoes of the American Airlines Paris-Miami passenger, who was overpowered before he could detonate it.

The officials are conducting more tests to determine the type of explosive device and whether they contained plastic explosives.

"There will be further tests to determine exactly what he had," an official said.

In London, the Scotland Yard reportedly identified the 28-year old man, now being held in the United States, as a British citizen named Richard Reid.

They also feel he might be going by others names and is also probing whether he holds Sri Lankan citizenship too.

There are also reports that the man had converted to Islam and is also named Tariq Raja and Abedel Rahi.

The suspect, now in FBI custody in southern Massachasetts, has been charged with assault and interfering with a flight attendant, but they could be upgraded to more serious charges now following confirmation that he was carrying explosives.

Reports from Paris quoting French police say he had tried to board the same flight a day earlier (Friday) but was turned away as according to police he was 'behaving bizarrely, was agitated and had a worrying look'.

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