New York suspect had no criminal record in Bangladesh, country's police chief says

New York City police near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan following an explosion on the morning of Dec 11, 2017. PHOTO: NYTIMES
The suspect in the incident in the Times Square subway station near the Port Authority Bus Terminal was identified as Akayed Ullah, 27, the New York Police Department commissioner said. PHOTO: NYC TAXI & LIMOUSINE COMMISSION

DHAKA (REUTERS) - Akayed Ullah, the man suspected of trying to bomb New York City's Port Authority, had no criminal record in Bangladesh and last visited his home country in September, Bangladesh's police chief told Reuters on Monday (Dec 11).

Inspector General of Police A K M Shahidul Hoque said the information was based on the man's passport number.

The man was from the southeastern Bangladeshi district of Chittagong, Haque said. He last visited Bangladesh on Sept 8.

Ullah, who had a homemade bomb strapped to his body, set off an explosion at a New York commuter hub during rush hour, injuring himself and three others in what New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called an attempted terrorist attack.

He had burns and lacerations while three other people, including a police officer, had minor injuries.

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