Egyptian police arrest suspect in synagogue attack

[Behind the Aegis]

CAIRO (AP) -- Egyptian police on Tuesday arrested a man suspected of throwing a suitcase containing a makeshift bomb at Cairo's main synagogue, describing him as a criminal previously involved in violence, drugs and forgery.

During his interrogation, the man said he was heading to the U.S. embassy to seek asylum when he was arrested, according to the official statement.

The Ministry of Interior, which manages all security services, said the 49-year old suspect, entered a downtown hotel Sunday, tossed a suitcase containing explosive materials out of the window at the synagogue across the street before fleeing.

During his flight he burned his face with sulfuric acid in his possession, the statement added.

The suitcase fell on to the sidewalk of the hotel and briefly caught fire, but it was across the street from the historic synagogue, known as known as Shaar Hashamayim, or the Gate of Heaven. The hotel was not damaged and no one was injured in the attack.

Police initially said the man appeared to have panicked when he tossed the suitcase from the fourth floor. He later told his interrogators he was angered by the Israeli policies in the Palestinian territories.

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