Powers given to Germany's defence minister in the wake of the September 11 attacks to shoot down hijacked aircraft were questioned by the country's president on Wednesday, opening the door to a possible legal challenge. In a statement, the office of German President Horst Koehler said he had signed the so-called Air Safety Act, meaning it will enter into force, but he had doubts about its compatibility with human rights clauses in Germany's constitution.
"The President has serious doubts whether ... (the Act) is compatible with the right to life and physical integrity guaranteed by the constitution," the statement said.