Five Pakistanis arrested in connection with shoe bomber case

Associated Press WriterPARIS (AP) -- Police and security agents on Wednesday were questioning five Pakistanis arrested in Paris and its suburbs in connection with the investigation into shoe bomber Richard C. Reid, judicial officials said.

The suspects were arrested Wednesday morning, the officials said on condition of anonymity. They are suspected of providing various kinds of logistical assistance to Reid, 28, a British citizen, during his stay in Paris.

The investigation is being headed by France's top anti-terrorism judge, Jean-Louis Bruguiere.

Reid has been in U.S. custody since Dec. 22, when he allegedly attempted to ignite the explosives in his shoes during a trans-Atlantic flight from Paris to Miami. He was thwarted by flight crew and passengers and the jet was diverted to Boston.

He has pleaded innocent to nine charges that include attempting to murder the 197 passengers and crew.

The indictment against Reid said he'd received training from the al-Qaida terrorist network in Afghanistan.

In December, French police seized material from Parisian cybercafes where Reid is believed to have communicated over the Internet with those giving him instructions.