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US intercepts 'ricin' letter to Obama US intercepts 'ricin' letter to Obama
(35 minutes later)
A letter addressed to US President Barack Obama apparently containing ricin has been intercepted.A letter addressed to US President Barack Obama apparently containing ricin has been intercepted.
Initial tests on the letter, identified at a remote facility, showed the presence of the lethal toxin.Initial tests on the letter, identified at a remote facility, showed the presence of the lethal toxin.
The letter, which arrived at the facility on 16 April, is related to another laced with ricin intended for a US senator, the FBI said.The letter, which arrived at the facility on 16 April, is related to another laced with ricin intended for a US senator, the FBI said.
Meanwhile, US Capitol Police are questioning a suspect in connection with the tainted letters, reports say. The FBI said there was "no indication of a connection" between the letters and Monday's deadly attack on Boston.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the letters addressed to the president and Republican Senator Roger Wicker were both postmarked Memphis, Tennessee and dated 8 April. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the letters addressed to the president and Republican Senator Roger Wicker were both postmarked Memphis, Tennessee, and dated 8 April.
The letters read: "To see a wrong and not expose it, is to become a silent partner to its continuance," according to US media citing intelligence sources.
They were reportedly signed: "I am KC and I approve this message."
The contents of the letter intended for President Obama were being sent to an accredited laboratory for further analysis, the FBI said, with results expected in 24 to 48 hours.The contents of the letter intended for President Obama were being sent to an accredited laboratory for further analysis, the FBI said, with results expected in 24 to 48 hours.
While there is a heightened sense of alert in the capital after Monday's deadly bomb attacks at the Boston marathon, the FBI said there was "no indication of a connection". Earlier, police questioned a man in the area who had a backpack containing sealed envelopes, but he was not taken into custody.
Reports of suspicious packages and envelopes also led to areas within two Senate office buildings being cleared temporarily.
Meanwhile Democratic Senator Carl Levin said an aide had received a suspicious-looking letter and that the authorities were investigating.
All congressional mail has been sorted and tested off-site since letters laced with anthrax were posted to two senators in 2001.All congressional mail has been sorted and tested off-site since letters laced with anthrax were posted to two senators in 2001.
A spokesman for the Secret Service, which protects the US president and his family, said it was liaising with the US Capitol Police and the FBI to trace the origins of the letters.A spokesman for the Secret Service, which protects the US president and his family, said it was liaising with the US Capitol Police and the FBI to trace the origins of the letters.
Ricin, extracted from castor beans, is 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide.Ricin, extracted from castor beans, is 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide.
It can be fatal when inhaled, swallowed or injected, although it is possible to recover from exposure.It can be fatal when inhaled, swallowed or injected, although it is possible to recover from exposure.