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Terror suspect arrested in Boston | Terror suspect arrested in Boston |
(19 minutes later) | |
A man has been charged with terrorism-related offences that include plotting to kill people in a US shopping centre, the US Justice Department says. | A man has been charged with terrorism-related offences that include plotting to kill people in a US shopping centre, 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 plotting to kill two US politicians and people overseas, and of seeking terrorist training. | He is also accused of plotting to kill two US politicians and people overseas, and of seeking terrorist training. |
At least two other co-conspirators were involved, officials said. | At least two other co-conspirators were involved, officials said. |
One was named as Ahmad Abousamra, who the authorities say is now in Syria. | One was named as Ahmad Abousamra, who the authorities say is now in Syria. |
Mr Mehanna, who is reported to be a US citizen, was arrested at his home on Wednesday morning. | Mr Mehanna, who is reported to be a US citizen, was arrested at his home on Wednesday morning. |
'Violent jihad' | 'Violent jihad' |
Detailing the charge against Mr Mehanna, US prosecutors accused him and his alleged co-conspirators of discussing how to 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 to obtain automatic weapons before "randomly shooting people in a shopping mall". |
Prosecutors said the alleged co-conspirators had discussed an attack on a mall | Prosecutors said the alleged co-conspirators had discussed an attack on a 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. |
However, the plan was eventually abandoned, prosecutors said, because the conspirators could not get hold of the necessary weapons. | However, the plan was eventually abandoned, prosecutors said, because the conspirators 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 US nationals 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 US nationals outside the US. |
RECENT US TERROR ARRESTS 21 Oct: Tarek Mehanna, 27, from Massachusetts, is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists24 Sept: Jordanian Hosam Maher Husein Smadi, 19, is arrested in Dallas, Texas, on suspicion of attempting to blow up a skyscraper in the city using a car bomb24 Sept: Michael Finton, also known as Talib Islam, is arrested after allegedly attempting to detonate a car bomb outside a courthouse in Springfield, Illinois19 Sept: Najibullah Zazi, 24, an Afghan living in Denver, is arrested on suspicion of plotting to carry out bomb attacks in New York; his father Mohammed is accused of lying to officials No connection has been made between any of the alleged plots | RECENT US TERROR ARRESTS 21 Oct: Tarek Mehanna, 27, from Massachusetts, is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists24 Sept: Jordanian Hosam Maher Husein Smadi, 19, is arrested in Dallas, Texas, on suspicion of attempting to blow up a skyscraper in the city using a car bomb24 Sept: Michael Finton, also known as Talib Islam, is arrested after allegedly attempting to detonate a car bomb outside a courthouse in Springfield, Illinois19 Sept: Najibullah Zazi, 24, an Afghan living in Denver, is arrested on suspicion of plotting to carry out bomb attacks in New York; his father Mohammed is accused of lying to officials No connection has been made between any of the alleged plots |
"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 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 inspire each other and radicalise others by watching and distributing jihadi videos. | They allegedly attempted to inspire each other and 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 hoping 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 hoping to attend a terrorist training camp with the aim of fighting US and allied forces in Iraq. |
A justice department document said that while "some of these plans involved no more than one or two conversations, at least one involved multiple conversations, discussions and preparations". | A justice department document said that while "some of these plans involved no more than one or two conversations, at least one involved multiple conversations, discussions and preparations". |
Mr Mehanna was previously arrested in 2006, when he was charged with lying to the FBI about the whereabouts of Daniel Maldonado, a man convicted of training alongside al-Qaeda members, Associated Press reported. | Mr Mehanna was previously arrested in 2006, when he was charged with lying to the FBI about the whereabouts of Daniel Maldonado, a man convicted of training alongside al-Qaeda members, Associated Press reported. |