Father-son among 3 held in US terror probe

DENVER: The FBI arrested a 24-year-old Colorado man on charges of making false statements to federal agents in an ongoing terror investigation, and supporting documents contend the man admitted receiving weapons and explosives training from Al-Qaida in Pakistan.

Najibullah Zazi was arrested late on Saturday after undergoing three days of questioning by the FBI. Zazi, a legal permanent resident from Afghanistan, is due to appear in federal court today.

Also arrested were Zazi's father, Mohammed Wali Zazi, 53, in Denver; and an associate, Ahmad Wais Afzali, 37, of Queens, New York, the Justice Department said yesterday. Both were also charged with making false statements to federal agents, a charge that carries a penalty of eight years in prison. Court appearances for both also have been set for today.

Zazi has repeatedly denied to reporters any connection to Al-Qaida or to a purported terrorist plot.

Role, targets unclear

A senior US intelligence official in Washington told the Associated Press on Friday that Zazi has indicated that he is directly linked with Al-Qaida. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss intelligence matters, said Zazi played a crucial role in an intended terrorist attack but that it was not immediately clear what the targets were.

The FBI is investigating several individuals in the United States, Pakistan and elsewhere in an alleged plot to detonate explosive devices in the United States, the Justice Department said in a statement.

"The arrests carried out tonight are part of an ongoing and fast-paced investigation," said David Kris, assistant attorney general for national security. "It is important to note that we have no specific information regarding the timing, location or target of any planned attack."

A joint FBI-New York Police Department task force feared Zazi may have been involved in a potential plot involving hydrogen peroxide-based explosives, according to two other law enforcement officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the investigation. Zazi denies any ties to Al-Qaida or terrorism.

In supporting documents filed with the court, investigators say Zazi admitted to FBI agents last week that in 2008 he received weapons and explosives training from Al-Qaida in the federally administered tribal areas of Pakistan.

The terror probe gathered momentum after Zazi rented a car and drove from Denver to New York, crossing into Manhattan on September 10.

Zazi was born in Afghanistan in 1985, moved to Pakistan at age 7 and emigrated to the United States in 1999. He returned to Pakistan in 2007 and 2008 to visit his wife, according to his attorney.

AP

(China Daily 09/21/2009 page13)