Judge’s Bail Decision in Bomb Case Is Unclear

Although a federal judge had been expected to rule Friday whether a man jailed on suspicion of trying to blow up the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand could be released on bail, no decision was announced.

The federal prosecutor and Van Duc Vo’s attorney said they had not been notified by U.S. Magistrate Paul Game of his decision. The attorneys said the judge would circulate his ruling when he reaches one.

Vo, described by his attorney a freedom fighter, has been in custody since Oct. 12, 2001. Federal prosecutors have opposed Vo’s request to be released on bail, saying he is a flight risk, especially because he could face the death penalty if extradited to Thailand.