Chinese student detained in US for photographing Doomsday planes
Kyiv • UNN
21-year-old Tianrui Liang was detained at New York airport for taking pictures of reconnaissance aircraft at Offutt Air Force Base. The young man pleaded guilty and explained his actions as a hobby.
A student from China has been accused of illegally photographing American military aircraft while traveling through several US states. This was reported by the Associated Press, writes UNN.
Details
21-year-old Tianrui Liang was detained on April 7 at New York's airport while attempting to fly to Glasgow, where he is studying. According to the FBI, the incident occurred in late March in Nebraska.
The investigation found that Liang stopped on a public road near Offutt Air Force Base and photographed an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and an E-4B.
According to the US Air Force, the E-4B, known as the "Nightwatch," can be used as an airborne command center for the president in case of emergencies.
The FBI noted that the suspect admitted he knew it was forbidden to photograph aircraft on the ground, but took the pictures anyway.
He said it was legal to photograph the sky, but he knew it was illegal to photograph planes on the ground.
Liang stated that he took the photos for his personal collection. His lawyer declined to comment. The student has not yet appeared before a federal court.
According to the investigation, before the incident, he traveled through Canada, after which he visited another air base in South Dakota and planned a trip to a military facility in Oklahoma.
Similar cases involving Chinese citizens photographing military facilities without permission have already been recorded in the US.
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