DETROIT (AP) - Federal authorities say they have accused an Indian man of altering his passport after he presented it with a Saudi Arabian visa torn out.

The Detroit Free Press reports Friday that Safdar Quddus is being held in jail following an appearance Thursday in Detroit’s U.S. District Court. He was arrested Monday at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Court documents say Quddus told border officials he had held his Saudi Arabian visa over a fire to remove it from the passport, and cut it out after it burned. He didn’t explain why.

The newspaper reports Quddus said he was a returning student visa holder. He told authorities he had been out of the United States since Dec. 15.

Authorities say Quddus waived his rights to a lawyer.

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