Slovak security test angers Irish authority

Irish police have arrested and released a Slovak man arriving in Dublin airport. After a tip-off from Slovakia, Irish army experts removed a small amount of explosives from the man's apartment that he had unwittingly brought back in his bag.

Slovak authorities have apologized for planting explosives in his luggage as part of an airport security exercise.

The man, working in Ireland, was one of nine innocent passengers in whose luggage the Slovak authorities had concealed the bomb parts without their knowledge, to test airport security.

Irish officials said the Slovaks told them nine real bomb components were placed into the bags of nine different passengers at two airports, including Bratislava Airport and Poprad-Tatry Airport in central Slovakia. The Irish said eight items were detected, adding that one bag had two bomb components in it.

The Slovak ministry admitted it did not contact Irish authorities and explain the situation until Tuesday, prompting Irish police to raid the man's Dublin apartment and detain him for several hours.

Tibor Mako, head of the Slovak border and foreign police, talks to reporters in Poprad, Slovakia, on Wednesday, Jan 6, 2010.  (AP Photo/CTK, Kamil Pisko)