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Terror suspect arrested in Boston | Terror suspect arrested in Boston |
(10 minutes later) | |
A man has been charged with terrorism-related offences that include plotting to kill people in a US shopping mall, the US Justice Department says. | A man has been charged with terrorism-related offences that include plotting to kill people in a US shopping mall, the US Justice Department says. |
Tarek Mehanna, 27, was held in Sudbury, a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts, and charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. | Tarek Mehanna, 27, was held in Sudbury, a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts, and charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. |
He is also accused of conspiring to kill people overseas, and of seeking terrorist training in the Middle East. | He is also accused of conspiring to kill people overseas, and of seeking terrorist training in the Middle East. |
At least two other co-conspirators were involved, officials said. | At least two other co-conspirators were involved, officials said. |
'Violent jihad' | 'Violent jihad' |
Detailing the charge against Mr Mehanna, US prosecutors accused him and his alleged co-conspirators of discussing how two obtain automatic weapons before "randomly shooting people in a shopping mall". | Detailing the charge against Mr Mehanna, US prosecutors accused him and his alleged co-conspirators of discussing how two obtain automatic weapons before "randomly shooting people in a shopping mall". |
They allegedly discussed "the logistics of a mall attack, including co-ordination, weapons needed and the possibility of attacking emergency responders," acting US Attorney Michael Loucks said. | They allegedly discussed "the logistics of a mall attack, including co-ordination, weapons needed and the possibility of attacking emergency responders," acting US Attorney Michael Loucks said. |
They would talk about fighting jihad and their desire to die on the battlefield Michael LoucksActing US attorney | |
However, the plan was eventually abandoned, prosecutors said, allegedly because they could not get hold of the necessary weapons. | However, the plan was eventually abandoned, prosecutors said, allegedly because they could not get hold of the necessary weapons. |
The charge alleges that from about 2001 to May 2008, Mr Mehanna conspired with others, plotting to provide material support and resources for use in carrying out a conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim or injure persons or damage property in a foreign country and the killing of a US national outside the US. | The charge alleges that from about 2001 to May 2008, Mr Mehanna conspired with others, plotting to provide material support and resources for use in carrying out a conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim or injure persons or damage property in a foreign country and the killing of a US national outside the US. |
"They discussed their desire to participate in violent jihad against American interests and that they would talk about fighting jihad and their desire to die on the battlefield," he said. | |
They allegedly attempted to radicalise others by watching and distributing jihadi videos. | They allegedly attempted to radicalise others by watching and distributing jihadi videos. |
Mr Mehanna and two of his associates also allegedly travelled to the Middle East in February 2004 to attend a terrorist training camp with the aim of fighting US and allied forces in Iraq. | Mr Mehanna and two of his associates also allegedly travelled to the Middle East in February 2004 to attend a terrorist training camp with the aim of fighting US and allied forces in Iraq. |