Dutch to free passengers arrested on US flight

AMSTERDAM, Aug 24 (Reuters) Dutch authorities will release all 12 passengers arrested on a US Northwest Airlines plane bound for India later today, prosecutors said.

''From the statement of suspects and witnesses, no evidence could be brought forward that these men were about to commit an act of violence,'' a prosecution statement said, adding police had searched for explosives on the plane, but found none.

Police arrested 12 of the 149 passengers on flight 42 to Mumbai, which turned back to Amsterdam yesterday due to security concerns after the crew reported suspicious behaviour.

REUTERS PB MIR RAI2239