Video: 'Suspicious' ferry riders cleared

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SEATTLE – Two men who the FBI had been looking for since passengers reported them acting strangely on a Washington state ferry last August have been found and are not considered a threat.

The FBI says the two European citizens showed up at the U.S. Embassy two weeks ago as the men in the photographs released to the media.

"They didn't want to be arrested by they did want to keep coming to the United States, so they came to the U.S Embassy about two weeks ago to identify themselves," said Laura Laughlin, FBI Special Agent in Charge.

The pair was spotted on ferries taking pictures last July. Other passengers told police, who then notified the FBI. When they feds couldn't find them, they went public.

"We thought it was innocuous we wanted to be able to confirm and corroborate that," said Laughlin. "It did resolve itself the way we hoped. That was the plan. Get the pictures out to the media outlets, to the public and have the people identified."

The men work in the computer industry. Their names and what country they are from are being withheld for privacy.

The release of the photos was controversial at the time, partially because the men appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent, sparking accusations of racial profiling.

Eight months later, the controversy continues.

"It's hard to find a balance between security and personal liberty," said one person we talked to.

"No, I don't think they have the right to do that," said another.

"I think it's absolutely alright," said another.

The FBI says it might try the tactic again in similar circumstances.

Washington's ferry system is considered one of the nation's top potential terrorist targets.