2 Saudi School Bus Riders Out Of Jail

Judge Decided The Pair Did Not Pose A Security Threat

(AP)  Two Saudi men detained after boarding a school bus full of students were released from jail Tuesday after federal officials determined they do not pose a security threat.

Through an interpreter, Mana Saleh Almanajam, 23, and Shaker Mohsen Alsidran, 20, told investigators that they got on the bus Friday morning because they wanted to visit the school and did not know it was just for students.

At the time, the men gave conflicting reasons why they boarded the bus bound for Wharton High School. But detectives later determined they meant no harm, and immigration agents found that they were here legally.

The two men arrived in the country six months ago on student visas and are enrolled at the English Language Institute at the University of South Florida, officials said.

Investigators said they boarded the school bus Friday, sat down and began speaking in Arabic. Their behavior concerned the driver, a substitute, who alerted the school district.

They were charged with misdemeanor trespassing and were jailed after a judge said Saturday she wanted more background information on them. They were released Tuesday on their promise to return to court later.