In UK, ringleader of plot to blow up trans-Atlantic jets sentenced to minimum 40 years in jail

In UK, airline bomb plot ringleader is sentenced

LONDON — A judge has sentenced the ringleader of a plot to bring down trans-Atlantic planes with liquid explosives to a minimum 40 years in jail.

Twenty-eight-year-old Abdulla Ahmed Ali was convicted last week of plotting the biggest terrorist attack since Sept. 11, 2001.

Two other plotters, Assad Sarwar and Tanvir Hussain, also are being sentenced Monday and could receive similar prison terms.

They planned to smuggle explosives aboard the planes disguised as soft drinks and detonate them while flying.

Judge Richard Henriques said the men were guilty of a “grave and wicked conspiracy.”