If he really wants to make a clean break from his terrorist past, one supposes that now would be a good time.

Hassan Butt arrested at Manchester airport on terror charge

Man detained in anti-terror probe

There being no shortage of terrorism plots in the Greater Manchester area, Mr. Butt may be merely peripheral to the investigation, however the stories note that three properties were being searched in connection with the arrest.

Mr. Butt was at the airport preparing to board a flight to Pakistan, and his imminent departure may have forced police action at this time.

...but then again, Blade Runner was not set in Israel.

Israel startup uses behavioral science to identify terrorists

Key points:

How does it work? Givon explains: "The technology is patented. We take advantage of human characteristics, according to which when a person intends to carry out a particular activity or has a great acquaintance or involvement with a particular activity, he carries with him information and feelings that are associated with the subject or activity. In effect, his brain creates a collection of associations that are relevant to the subject.

"When this person is exposed to stimuli targeted at these associations - such as a picture of a partner to the activity, items from the scene of a crime that he carried out, the symbol of the organization in whose name he is acting or a code word - he will respond emotionally and cognitively to these stimuli. The response is expressed with a number of very subtle physiological and behavioral changes during the exposure to the stimulus," Givon said.

He noted that in an individual who has not built up such associations, the stimuli will not elicit a significant response.

Givon points out that the bank of stimuli included in the system is varied and unpredictable: "Even a skilled, well-practiced suspect who is aware of the system and who tries to prepare for the screening cannot know where the stimuli will come from and how they will appear."

The system consists of three components: Hidden biometric sensors that measure the subject remotely or during random contact; a system that displays the stimuli; and a computerized data analysis and decision-making system that operates in real time.

As said already, it's really not quite the same as the fictional method for identifying androids, but it's not too far off...

The Media Line News Agency Staff , THE JERUSALEM POST Apr. 2, 2008

Turkish security forces have detained 45 people suspected of being part of an Al-Qaida cell. The detainees were arrested during simultaneous raids throughout Istanbul, local media outlets reported.

The raids were carried out in eight neighborhoods in the European part of Istanbul. The local police said the suspects were planning to commit terror attacks.

By Sgt. Ben Brody, USA - Special to American Forces Press Service

JURF AS SAHKR, Iraq, April 2, 2008 – After serving their sentences in U.S.-run prisons in Iraq, 25 detainees were released under the supervision of a local sheikh in Jurf as Sahkr on March 28.

“Almost all of the bad people here changed their mind, so we must give these men another chance to be good people,” Sabah said. “I will see that these men will serve Jurf as Sahkr, their families and the future of Iraq.”

The sheikh regularly meets with soldiers of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who are based out of Patrol Base Jurf, a compound near the village center.

Army Capt. Eric Tisland, commander of Company A, welcomed the former detainees back into the village and updated them on the changes Jurf as Sahkr has undergone since they were last home.

“In the past seven months, violence in Jurf has fallen dramatically, thanks to the Sons of Iraq chasing out the terrorists and criminals,” Tisland told the men.

Sabah said he believes the men, some of whom attacked coalition forces and other Iraqis, will thrive under the new security conditions.

“This area was very difficult to live in a year ago. Everyone had to fight to survive, and the coalition forces didn’t know who was good and who was bad, so they arrested many people” he said. “The people now just want to forget the past; it was very bad.”

Also releasing detainees March 28 were two other units from the same brigade task force. Battery B, 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, released eight detainees in Hak, Iraq, under the supervision of Sheikh Kamil, tribal head of the Janabi tribe in the Anzio area of operations.

Meanwhile, at Joint Security Station Haswah, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, also released eight detainees under the supervision of several tribal leaders from the area including Sheikh Kaither and Sheikh Faleh.

Associated Press, THE JERUSALEM POST Mar. 25, 2008

An American cargo ship under contract to the US Navy fired warning shots at a small Egyptian boat while passing through the Suez Canal, the US military said Tuesday. Egyptian authorities said at least one man was killed, but the US said an investigation was underway and it had no reports of casualties.

The Global Patriot, which was under short term charter to the navy's Military Sealift Command, entered the canal from the Red Sea at Suez after dark Monday when it was approached by several small boats, according to both US and Egyptian officials.

The US Navy is very careful about the activities of small boats near their war ships ever since the 2000 suicide attack by an explosives-packed motor boat on the USS Cole in Yemen killed 17 sailors. A US Navy security team was aboard the cargo ship.

"The boats were hailed and warned by a native Arabic speaker using a bullhorn to warn them to turn away. A warning flare was then fired," said a statement from the US Embassy in Cairo. "One small boat continued to approach the ship and received two sets of warning shots 20-30 yards in front of the bow."

The statement added that "all shots were accounted for as they entered the water." It also said that "initial reports indicate that no casualties were sustained on either vessel."

An Egyptian security official at the canal, however, said that after the warning shots, a man was shot dead in the small boat and that the three other men with him were wounded.

The body of the man, Mohammed Fouad, went to the hospital morgue before being transferred to the Ibrahim Nafie mosque ahead of burial, said the head of the union of seamen in Suez, Abbas al-Amrikani, to The Associated Press by telephone.

"We are praying over his the body right now," al-Amrikani said over audible sounds of prayer. "I saw the body. The bullet entered his heart and went out the other side." He added that Fouad was 27 years old.

...fortunately the haircut is optional.

Fitna is here:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7d9_1206624103

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2008

A ship on short-term charter to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command fired warning shots at a small boat approaching the ship as it was preparing to transit the Suez Canal last night, military officials reported.

There were no reports of casualties from the ship, the Global Patriot.

Officials said several boats approached the Global Patriot while it was preparing to transit the Suez Canal. The boats were hailed and warned by a native Arabic speaker on the Global Patriot to advise them to turn away. Other warning steps, including a signal flare, were used to caution the boats.

One small boat continued to approach the ship and received two sets of warning shots 20 to 30 meters in front of the boat's bow. All shots were accounted for as they entered the water, officials said.

The incident is under investigation. The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet command is cooperating with Egyptian authorities, including the Suez Canal Authorities, through the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

(From a U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet news release.)

If he is dead, let us know.

[This is the first audio message released today. There is second release, via al-Jazeera. We have it, but it is not in wide circulation at the moment, and a transcript/translation is not available]

Meanwhile, here is a translation of his latest message, courtesy of the taxpayers of the United States:

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

To the wise men of the EU: Peace be upon those who follow the right path.

My address to you concerns the defaming cartoons, and failing to do what needs to be done -- even though you had the chance -- to prevent the reoccurrence of the cartoons.

First of all, I say that enmity among humans is very ancient. However, the wise men of nations, throughout ages, have been keen on observing the rules of dispute and fighting ethics, which is good for them. This is because conflict keeps changing, and war has its ups and downs. However, in your conflict with us, you have practically given up many of the fighting ethics, although you raise its slogans in theory. It saddens us to target our villages with your bombing; those modest mud villages, which caved in over our women and children. You do this deliberately and I am a witness to such acts. You do this unjustly. You do it to go along with your unjust ally who along with his aggressive policies is about to leave the White House.

It is no secret to you that these barbaric acts have not resolved the war. Instead, these acts made us more resolved to hold on to our right, avenge our people, and expel the invaders from our country. Such massacres are not forgotten by peoples, and the ramifications of this state are no secret.

Although the killing of our women and children at your hands is, indeed, a grievous disaster, it became less painful when you went too far with your infidelity and disregard to the ethics of fighting and disagreement as to publish these defaming cartoons. This disaster is the greatest and most serious, and punishment for it will be harsher. I want to draw your attention here to a significant point which is that although you published the defaming cartoons, none of the 1.5 billion Muslims showed any insulting reaction to God's Prophet Isa Bin-Maryam [Jesus], peace be upon him. This is because we believe in all the prophets, peace be upon them. Anyone belittling or making fun of any of them is viewed as a renegade infidel.

In this regard, it should be pointed out that there is no need for you to use as a pretext the sanctity of your freedom of expression and laws, and to say that you will not change them. If this were the case, then why were the US soldiers deployed on your territories relieved from being subject to your laws? And why do you suppress the freedom of those who cast doubts over the figures pertaining to a certain historical incident? Besides, you know that there is one man who can stop these cartoons if the issue concerned him. This man is the uncrowned king in Riyadh, who had ordered your legal commissions to stop investigating the embezzlement of billions in Al-Yamamah deal. Blair, who has become your representative in the Quartet, carried out the order.

In brief, the man-made laws, which are at odds with Almighty God's laws, are null and unsacred, and do not concern us. Additionally, your stance toward Al-Yamamah Deal makes it incumbent upon you to acknowledge that there are some values that are greater than yours.

Finally, I tell you that if the freedom of your speech has no limits, then you should accept the freedom of our actions open-mindedly. It is astonishing and humiliating to the others to talk about tolerance and peace at a time when your soldiers are killing even the weak ones in our countries. This was followed by your publication of these cartoons, which were within the framework of a new Crusader campaign and in which th e Pope of Vatican had a big role. All of this is considered an affirmation on your part of the continuation of the war and a test of Muslims' zeal for their religion and whether the prophet may God's prayers and peace be upon him, is dearer to them than their selves and property.

The answer is what you will see, not what you hear. May our mothers be bereaved if we do not support our prophet, may God's prayers and peace be upon him; peace be upon whoever follows the right path.

US Treasury, 03/19/2008

AL-SHABAAB (a.k.a. AL-SHABAAB AL-ISLAAM; a.k.a. AL-SHABAAB AL-ISLAMIYA; a.k.a. AL-SHABAAB AL-JIHAAD; a.k.a. AL-SHABAB; a.k.a. HARAKAT SHABAB AL-MUJAHIDIN; a.k.a. HISB'UL SHABAAB; a.k.a. HIZBUL SHABAAB; a.k.a. MUJAHIDEEN YOUTH MOVEMENT; a.k.a. MUJAHIDIN AL-SHABAAB MOVEMENT; a.k.a. MUJAHIDIN YOUTH MOVEMENT; a.k.a. "MYM"; a.k.a. "THE UNITY OF ISLAMIC YOUTH"; a.k.a. "THE YOUTH"; a.k.a. "YOUTH WING"), Somalia [FTO] [SDGT]

This interview in Der Spiegel with outgoing Europen Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, Franco Frattini, sums up the "privacy vs. security vs. freedom" debate.

Here is an excerpt:

Frattini: Europe’s goal must be complete protection at the outer borders and free movement within the Union. However, we also need to have the ability to catch criminals. Europe has enormous territory that offers borderless freedom of movement. We have to keep criminals from exploiting this freedom.

SPIEGEL: Within the European Commission, you are responsible not just for security but also for freedom. If the Commission really achieves this surveillance of ships, trains and airplanes, you will perhaps increase security -- but what will be left of freedom?

Frattini: The first freedom is to be alive.

By PAMELA HESS – WASHINGTON (AP)

The CIA announced Monday that it will now pay the full cost of legal liability insurance for about two-thirds of the agency workforce.

The insurance costs about $300 a year. Until now the CIA has paid just half of the premium annually. Only about 15 percent of eligible employees actually apply for reimbursement.

One shift is already looming: A change in administrations could make it more likely lawsuits will be filed against CIA interrogators for a controversial program approved by the Bush White House — the use of harsh interrogation techniques and the secret movement of prisoners, known as extraordinary rendition.

The insurance comes from private companies to cover legal expenses that arise out of actions undertaken in the course of a CIA officer's official duties. It is meant to cover potential litigation expenses including damages. It covers legal expenses associated only with those activities undertaken after liability insurance is taken. The reimbursement program began in 2000.

Agency Director Michael Hayden on Monday announced that he had expanded the pool of those eligible to be reimbursed for insurance to include all employees involved in covert activities, not just those involved in counterterrorism and counterproliferation.

Any agency employee who supervises one or more employees is eligible to be reimbursed as will attorneys, grievance officers, equal employment opportunity counselors, auditors, IG inspectors and investigators, polygraph examiners, recruiters or hiring advisers and security officers.

"This benefit will help keep agency employees focused on accomplishing the mission, rather than being concerned about potential litigation costs that might arise as a result of doing their jobs," said CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield.

Daniel Sandford - BBC News

An east London Muslim, who was well known for giving religious talks, has been jailed for 10 years for rape.

Abdul Makim Khalisadar pleaded guilty to raping a 27-year-old woman after forcing his way into her home in 2005.

Scotland Yard was originally examining Khalisadar's links to terrorist Kazi Nurur Rahman but the investigation did not lead to a terror arrest.

But DNA taken when the 26 year old was arrested for downloading child abuse images linked him to the rape.

After denying it for almost a year and a half, Khalisadar admitted raping the woman in Whitechapel, east London, in the early hours of 16 October 2005.

On Monday he was jailed for seven and a half years for the rape and two and a half years for perverting the course of justice, to run consecutively.

Khalisadar is unemployed but used to work as an assistant in a primary school teaching English and Maths.

He also worked with an anti-drug-and-violence project in east London's Brick Lane, and was well known for his religious talks.

Seven of Khalisadar's friends who last month admitted conspiracy to pervert the course of justice were each jailed for 12 months.

Belal Ahmed, 24, Tanbir Ahmed, 24, Mohammed Tahar Hussain, 25, Iqbal Hussain-Ali, 25, Tony Autier, 30, Thouhid Ahmed, 24, and Shaherul Islam Khan, 24 - all from East London - admit lying to the police in formal statements.

They claimed Khalisadar was giving a talk at the East London Mosque at the time of the rape...

...Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command was investigating Khalisadar's connection with Rahman, who was convicted in 2006 of trying to buy Uzi sub-machine guns for use by terrorists.

When Khalisadar was taken to a police station and swabbed for DNA, detectives discovered to their surprise that he was the man being sought for the rape.

At first he insisted the sex was consensual, then he concocted an alibi saying he had been giving a talk on repentance at the mosque that night.

It was the middle of Ramadan, and young men would often meet at the mosque through the night before eating their breakfast ahead of sunrise. His friends supported the alibi, but now admit they lied.

The DNA evidence was overwhelming and there was also technical evidence that his phone was used near the victim's flat at the time of the rape.

Eleven charges of possessing photographs of child abuse are not being proceeded with at present.

The extremist violence problem the Russians are addressing here is that of extreme Russian nationalists. The bombing of the market at Cherkizovo targeted asians.

See also: Inside Russia's Racism Problem

13% Of Those Convicted For Crimes Of Extremism In 2007 Are Minors

MOSCOW, March 17 (Itar-Tass) -- Among 254 persons convicted in 2007 for crimes connected with extremism minors make up 13 percent, Alexei Zhafyarov, the deputy chief of the General Prosecutor Office 's department for supervision over observance of laws on federal security, interethnic relations and opposition to extremism, told ltar-Tass. "Among 254 persons convicted for crimes connected with extremism the share of minors (aged under 18) is 13 odd percent," he said. "Making a minor criminally responsible means blighting his or her life," he said, adding that the prosecutors pin much hope on prevention of juvenile delinquency.

"It is necessary to emphasize crime prevention and bring to court adults who draw minors into crime or, by their actions, lead to minors' forming definite ideas and outlook," he said.

"We are engaged in the effort to identify masterminds of extremist societies and organizations that form an ideological base for such views in young people and to turn to court to demand that they be banned," he said. He pointed out the fact that the NBP had been outlawed by the Moscow city count's decision. "It was stated at the court meeting that the NBP leaders were ideologues. They don't do anything themselves, but such ideologues are responsible for part of young people conceiving such views," he said.

He also cited the criminal case of the Spas organization whose participants had staged a number of terrorist acts in Moscow (with most repercussions following the blast at the Cherkizovo market on August 21, 2006, when 14 people were killed and 47 injured -Itar-Tass). "The terrorist acts were staged by young people of the age of students. There existed a club for patriotic upbringing through which extremist literature was circulated, where certain ideological views were spread and military training was conducted, that is, the outlook of young people who later staged terrorist acts was shaped," Zhafyarov said.

He said the essential part of work in this sphere is to prevent the activity of such organizations "at the stage when they are formed, before more serious crimes are committed." Prosecutors interact with regional authorities and local self-government bodies. "A whole number of examples shows that when conflicts, also of ethnic nature, arise considerable share of responsibility rests on them. So their task is to analyse the situation on their territories, in their populated localities and take measures in time. This work is so far not as active as is desired," he said.

Almost all the regions have already adopted programmes of juvenile delinquency prevention, and two-thirds of the subjects have ensured the financing of these programmes.

This is the law passed by the US Congress which governs how terrorists will be adjudicated in Guantánamo.

Of course if the moonbats want, we could give all these nice fellows one-way tickets back to their countries of origin. I'm sure they'll get the best sort of due process back home, where people are understanding and kind...

International terrorist suspect arrested

dutchnews.nl, Friday 14 March 2008

Police in Breda have arrested a 26-year-old Pakistani national on suspicion of involvement in an international terror network which was plotting attacks in Western Europe, the public prosecution department said on Friday.

The network, suspected of involvement in a foiled suicide attack in Barcelona, was preparing attacks in France, Portugal, Germany and England, the department said in a statement.

News agency ANP, quoting Spanish newspapers, says the attacks were planned against supporters of assassinated Pakistan politician Benazir Bhutto.

The Dutch investigation began in February following a secret service tip-off.

The man has been in the Netherlands since September 2007 and is officially registered as a student. The public prosecution department did not say what course or where he is supposed to be studying, other than that he is taking a four-year hbo college degree. It also said he spends a large amount of time as a house painter.

The man, who was not named, has been under observation since the beginning of the investigation and has been arrested as a precaution, the department said. There are no indications that he has been involved in planning an attack in the Netherlands.

He will appear in court in Rotterdam on Monday.

See previous: Tablighi Jamaat terrorist cell captured in Spain

Germany's First Suicide Bomber in Afghanistan?

March 02 2008

MI5 has set up a dedicated team to monitor suspected al-Qaeda activists and supporters in Ireland.

The Observer has learnt that an eight-strong unit is spying on Islamists based in Belfast, Lisburn and mid-Ulster, but is also liaising via the Police Service of Northern Ireland with the Garda Siochana across the border. The revelation coincides with the arrest yesterday of a suspected Islamist terror unit in Co Kerry. Three Afghans were in custody after the Garda swooped on an apartment in Tralee and found devices they believe could be used to make bombs.

The new unit at MI5's regional headquarters at Holywood, on the outskirts of Belfast, also monitors inbound US military flights to Shannon airport in case of an Islamist terror attack on Irish soil.

All reports on suspected al-Qaeda activities across Ireland are to be handed over to the head of MI5 in Northern Ireland, Trevor Harper. He is based at the new £20m headquarters inside Palace military barracks. Last week The Observer revealed that, in the event of a major terror attack on MI5's HQ at Thames House in London, command of the security services would be switched to Holywood.

Security sources said al-Qaeda 'sleeper cells' in Northern Ireland were being watched in particular, because of suspected links to other cells in Britain. 'They operate a very tight structure, just like the IRA. There are possible links to cells on the mainland,' one source said.

A cell in Lisburn, Co Antrim, has been under investigation for almost two years after it was found to be operating out of a housing estate close to the town. Another cell believed to be operating in the Mid-Ulster area has planted roots around Portadown, Lurgan and Craigavon.

A number of suspects are believed to be working in restaurants which are being monitored. And there are said to be ongoing inquiries into those suspected of being linked to a Belfast cell controlled by Kafeel Ahmed, said to have been a leading light in al-Qaeda in Ulster. Ahmed is believed to have arrived in Northern Ireland in 2001 and enrolled at Queen's University to study aeronautical engineering, graduating in 2003. The 27-year-old stayed on at the campus as a paid researcher.

In July 2007, Ahmed was 'activated' to carry out an alleged suicide bomb attack on Glasgow airport. A second man, Iraqi doctor Bilal Talal Samad Abdullah, was in the car which burst into flames on impact at the airport terminal. Abdullah survived and was later charged with conspiracy to cause explosions. Ahmed suffered 90 per cent burns and died several days later in the Royal Alexandra hospital in Paisley.

Security sources said the new MI5 complex coordinates intelligence on all al-Qaeda cells operating on both sides of the border. It liaises via the PSNI with the Garda's special detective unit, which monitors subversive organisations and foreign nationals suspected of being involved in international terrorism.

The three men arrested yesterday in Kerry were still in Garda custody last night after the discovery of devices believed to be for building bombs at an apartment complex. Gardai raided the Atlas House complex at McCowen's Lane in Tralee late on Friday night.

The spokesperson said all three men were arrested under the Republic's anti-terror legislation. They can be held for up to three days for questioning. The trio are in their thirties and forties and it is understood that at least one of them has been under Garda surveillance since he entered the country.

14 Islamic Militants Held in Spain over Terror Plot

Victoria Burnett (New York Times) - Spanish intelligence agents arrested 14 Islamic militants and raided several apartments and two mosques in Barcelona during a crackdown on a group suspected of plotting an attack in the city. The group included 12 Pakistanis, an Indian and a Bangladeshi.

Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, the Spanish interior minister, said Saturday that the detainees "belonged to a well-organized group that had gone a step beyond radicalization." Spanish authorities confiscated material for making bombs, including four timing devices, Rubalcaba said.

Several of those arrested belonged to Tabligh Jamaat, a group based in Pakistan. The group publicizes a benign type of revivalist Islam, but is suspected by Western intelligence agencies of being a recruiter for jihadists.

See also

ALLEGED INDIAN,PAKISTANI TABLIGHIS HELD IN SPAIN WITH IED MATERIAL

Prosecuting Terrorism: A Change in Tactics

Despite all of the above evidence tying Care to terrorism, the organization -- like Al Capone -- was ultimately held accountable for mundane charges on which the government could secure criminal convictions. In fact, the judge barred the word "terrorism" throughout the trial in an effort to keep the jury focused on the specific charges at hand. But the ultimate effect of the tax law conviction was to expose and hold accountable a fundraising network that raised significant amounts of money for al-Qaeda and its affiliated groups. Detractors may say the lack of a specific terrorism charge proves this was not a terrorism case, but the evidence belies such claims. Sometimes the best strategy for a terrorism prosecution is to focus on the underlying and mundane criminal activity.

Al-Manar TV on THAICOM? Not any more!

The ammunition:

The weapon:

The impact:

And that is information warfare.

End of lesson.

Link

The underlying premise of the story is that the UK has heretofore been successful in combating al-Qa`ida due to racial profiling of what they call Asians. Not true (there are too many Asians in the UK for that to be effective). Al-Qa`ida operatives will engage in a range of behaviors that can be detected and exploited to thwart attacks, and the UK has done about as good a job of that as anyone can reasonably expect. The UK also benefits from the IRA experience (they were white guys too, and also engaged in a broad range of criminal activities).

To the extent that "White al-Qa`ida" are recruited in prison we know a couple of things already:

* We know they are not real bright, or they are at least not real good at being criminals.
* We know their DNA, fingerprints, height, weight, facial appearance, etc.

This is not to say they can't be successful terrorists, but it does give us more to go on than if AQ was focusing on university students, for example. So it could certainly be worse. Also, where you have criminals you have informants, which is always a good thing.

Here in the US most extremist violence has been perpetrated by white folks, whether on the extreme right or the extreme left, and the agents and officers who deal with these issues are well aware of that.

United States Department of Justice - Washington

WASHINGTON - Three men, a Libyan national and two Lebanese nationals, were convicted today in federal court of conspiring to defraud the United States and engaging in a scheme to conceal information from the United States government.

Kenneth Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New England Field Division; and Douglas A. Bricker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation - Boston Field Office, announced today that EMADEDDIN MUNTASSER, age 43, of Braintree, SAMIR ALMONLA, age 50, of Brookline, and MUHAMED MUBAYYID, age 42, of Shrewsbury, were each convicted by a jury sitting before U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV, of Conspiring to Defraud the United States and Engaging in a Scheme to Conceal Information from the U.S. Government. In addition, MUNTASSER was convicted of Making False Statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation during an interview conducted in April 2003 and MUBAYYID was convicted of three separate counts of Making and Filing False Tax Returns on behalf of Care International, Inc. (“Care International”) for tax years 1997, 1999, and 2000. MUBAYYID was also convicted of obstructing and impeding the Internal Revenue Service. AL-MONLA was acquitted on one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation during an interview conducted in April 2003.

“Today's verdict is a milestone in our efforts against those who conceal their support for extremist causes behind the veil of humanitarianism. For years, these defendants used an allegedly charitable organization as a front for the collection of donations that they used to support violent jihadists. This prosecution serves notice that we will not tolerate the use of charities as a means of promoting terrorism," said Kenneth L. Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said, “Today’s convictions should be a warning to organizations or persons who intend to fund their support of any militant organization or goal, including the mujahideen and jihad, by abusing our nation’s tax laws, that they will be pro actively investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The United States government requires truthful and complete information to uphold our nation’s laws."

Douglas Bricker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Internal Revenue said, “The integrity of our tax system depends upon the honesty and accuracy of all taxpayers. IRS will vigorously investigate individuals and tax exempt organizations who fraudulently disguise their activities. While the vast majority of charities perform excellent work helping people in need, tax exempt organizations cannot be permitted to lie or generate funds for unstated or misrepresented purposes.”

Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation said, “Counter terrorism is one of the FBI’s top priorities, and these convictions are the result of excellent cooperation and commitment by the team of investigators who worked tirelessly to investigate and resolve this complex case.”

Evidence presented during the 24-day trial proved that the defendants fraudulently used Care International to solicit and obtain tax deductible donations for the purpose of supporting and promoting the mujahideen (Muslim holy warriors) and jihad (violent armed conflict). The evidence demonstrated that from in or about April 1993 to April 2003, MUNTASSER, ALMONLA, and MUBAYYID, concealed the fact that Care International was an outgrowth of and successor to the Al-Kifah Refugee Center (“Al-Kifah”) and was engaged in non-charitable activities involving the solicitation and expenditure of funds to support and promote the mujahideen and jihad from the IRS, FBI, and Immigration and Naturalization Service (now known as Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Further, the government proved that MUNTASSER, AL-MONLA, and MUBAYYID conspired to defraud the United States for the purpose of impeding, impairing, interfering, and obstructing the lawful functions of the Internal Revenue Service in the ascertainment, assessment, and determination of whether Care International qualified and should be designated as a charitable organization pursuant to 26 U.S.C. §501(c)(3) in 1993 and should continue to be accorded that status thereafter.

During the trial, the government proved that in the 1990s MUNTASSER ran the Boston branch office of Al-Kifah, which was part of the Makhtab al Khidamat (“MAK”) network founded by Sheik Abdullah Azzam and another person in Peshawar, Pakistan in the 1980s to provide support to the mujahideen. MAK had offices throughout the World. In North America, MAK was known by the name Al-Kifah.

Under MUNTASSER’S leadership, Al-Kifah’s office in Boston published a pro-jihad newsletter called "Al-Hussam," which means "The Sword" in Arabic, and distributed flyers which indicated that it supported the mujahideen on the frontlines. In these flyers as well as other fundraising materials, Al-Kifah claimed it was a tax exempt organization when in fact it was never granted such status. Shortly after media reports in March and April 1993 linked AlKifah’s Brooklyn office to Islamic militant groups, fighters in Afghanistan, and violent acts, MUNTASSER, who was then the chairman and director of Al-Kifah’s Boston office, incorporated Care International to perform the same functions of Al-Kifah under a different name. In Care International's Articles of Incorporation, MUNTASSER stated that Care International was exclusively involved in "charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes," when in fact it was also engaged in the solicitation and expenditure of funds to support the mujahideen and promote jihad and assumed the activities of Al-Kifah including the publication of its pro-jihad newsletter, Al-Hussam. Further, MUNTASSER intermingled the monies collected by Care International with that collected under the name Al-Kifah and transferred assets from Al-Kifah to Care International.

In June 1993, MUNTASSER sought a tax exemption for Care International from the IRS pursuant to 26 U.S.C. §501(c)(3) on the basis that Care International was an exclusively charitable organization. On behalf of Care International, MUNTASSER executed, under the penalties of perjury, an IRS Form 1023 Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code ("1023 Application"). Although instructed to describe all current and proposed activities of Care International, when MUNTASSER completed this application, he did not disclose Care International's current activities involving the promotion of jihad through the distribution of the Al-Hussam. Nor did he disclose an intention for Care International to solicit money for jihad or the mujahideen or to promote jihad and the mujahideen through the distribution of publications. In response to a question whether Care International was a successor to another organization on the 1023 application, MUNTASSER lied and concealed from the IRS that Care International was the successor to Al-Kifah.

From 1993 to 2003, using Care International’s fraudulently obtained tax exempt status, the defendants MUNTASSER, AL-MONLA, and MUBAYYID and other officers of Care International collected approximately $1.7 million dollars. During that period of time, the defendants each filed false annual tax filings, Forms 990, with the IRS that concealed Care International’s pro-jihad and pro-mujahideen activities and the true nature of its orphan sponsorship program. The evidence proved that in addition to publishing the pro-jihad newsletter Al-Hussam, Care International published and distributed an English translation of Sheik Abdullah Azzam’s book “ Join the Caravan;” Care International sold pro-mujahideen videotapes such as Badr al Bosna; published pro-mujahideen articles on its website from approximately 1998 to 2001; and printed and distributed solicitations for tax deductible donations to support the mujahideen from approximately 1994 to 2001.

Furthermore, the government proved that MUNTASSER made false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation during an interview conducted on April 7, 2003. MUNTASSER falsely denied ever traveling to Afghanistan when in fact he traveled to Afghanistan from approximately December 1994 to January 1995. The government presented evidence that during this visit to Afghanistan, MUNTASSER met with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, an Afghan mujahideen warlord who advocated global jihad. Testimony during trial described a pledge of support to Hekmatyar signed by defendants MUNTASSER and AL-MONLA found during an October 2001 covert search of Care International’s storage unit rented by defendant MUBAYYID. This pledge stated, in pertinent part: We those who love you in the Boston office, write to you asking for direction and looking for explanation on what you see fit and appropriate for us in matters concerning serving Jihad for the sake of Allah. . . . We are prepared to abide by your commands and we are forever in the fold of obedience and military service.

Judge Saylor scheduled sentencing hearings for the defendants on April 2rd, 3rd, and 4th, 2008. MUNTASSER, MUBAYYID and AL-MONLA each face up to 5 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each of the following counts:

(1) Engaging in a Scheme to Conceal Material Facts from the United States; and (2) Conspiring to Defraud the United States. MUNTASSER faces up to 5 yrs in prison on the False Statement counts to be followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. MUBAYYID also faces up to 3 years in prison on each of the three False Tax Return counts and the obstruction count followed by 1 year supervised release and a $100,000 fine. All three defendants were immediately ordered detained pending sentencing, with a further hearing on detention scheduled for January 18, 2008.

The case was investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New England Field Division, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys B. Stephanie Siegmann, Aloke S. Chakravarty, and Donald L. Cabell of Sullivan’s Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit.

Irhabi007 and friends are having entirely too much fun in Belmarsh.

Al-Qaeda plot to kill prison warder foiled

So says Craig Whitlock of the Washington Post, while giving us a series of examples of terror suspects who were captured despite their alleged use of methods meant to avoid exactly that fate.

/do I really have to say any more than that?

Beirut, 18 Dec 07, 20:37

A Lebanese military judge on Tuesday indicted 31 Al-Qaida-linked suspects, including a Saudi national and four Syrians, on charges of plotting to carry out terror attacks in the country, officials said.

Judge Rashid Mezher charged the so-called "Bar Elias terror network" of "plotting to carry out terrorist operations" in the eastern Christian city of Zahle, the state-run National News Agency reported.

It quoted the charge sheet as saying that as part of their plans the suspects were preparing to "fire rockets on Zahle".

The charge sheet identified the plot's mastermind as Saudi national Fahd Abdelaziz al-Ghames and said that the group, including four Syrian nationals, a Palestinian as well as a number of Lebanese, "is linked to Al-Qaida."

Most of them, including Ghames, have been arrested in various sweeps since June.

The NNA did not give further details nor did it say when a trial would start.

In June, Lebanese security forces dismantled bombs in three booby-trapped cars in the eastern village of Bar Elias, near Zahle, following confessions by two Syrians, an Iraqi and a Palestinian who were arrested for possessing weapons.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP)

Fourteen Muslim extremists were detained Friday on allegations they sought to free an al-Qaida sympathizer imprisoned for planning a terrorist attack on U.S. air base personnel, Belgian authorities said.

Security was heightened across the capital, at airports and subway stations out of precaution, officials said.

"Other acts of violence are not to be excluded," Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said. He said authorities had "elements of information which point to the preparation of an attack."

Lieve Pellens, spokeswoman of the federal prosecutor's office, said security also was being stepped up at Christmas markets.

"Since it could not be excluded that the group had other plans and because of the heightened terror threat this time of year, it was decided no risk should be taken," Pellens said.

The suspects sought to free Nizar Trabelsi, a 37-year-old Tunisian who played soccer for several German teams and who was sentenced to the maximum 10 years in prison four years ago, authorities said.

He had admitted planning to drive a car bomb into the canteen at Kleine Brogel, a Belgian air base where about 100 American military personnel are stationed and where U.S. nuclear weapons are believed to be stored.

Trabelsi testified that he intended kill American soldiers.

The federal prosecutor's office said the 14 were planning to free the Trabelsi with force.

"Trabelsi would be helped by a group of people, driven by an extremist vision of Islam," said a statement from the prosecutor's office.

In the three stories below you will find: global jihadists, anarchists, Hizballah, cocaine, counterfeit clothing, cash transfers, guns, dirty bomb plans, psychedelic mushrooms, global jihad on and off the Internet and last, but not least, child porn.

What's not to like...

Spain: Islamic terrorist cell members sentenced

Madrid, 29 Oct. (AKI) - Abdelkader Ayachine and Wissam Lofti, two of the six alleged terrorists belonging to an Islamist cell in the northern Spanish city of Burgos, have been convicted of inciting Jihad (holy war) through the Internet, and to have provided financial support to jailed Islamists.

Spanish paramilitary police last week detained the alleged members believed to have been involved in recruiting jihadists to carry out terror attacks internationally, including in Iraq reported Spanish daily El Mundo.

The judge said Ayachine and Lofti: "form part of an organised group belonging to a Salafite-jihadi movement, with important links to radical Islamic terrorism, created around an extremist leader, radical and violent that exerts huge influence and power over the rest of the members."

All the suspects have ties to fundamentalist (Salafite) jihadi ideology, according to Spain's interior ministry.

Ayachine, considered the leader of the Islamist cell, ran a butcher's shop in the city of Burgos, was also accused of child pornography, because according to the magistrate he "downloaded and transferred numerous photos and videos of child pornography"

The rest of the detained have been released but must report every 15 days to the court.

Authorities Raid Urbandale [Iowa] Man's Apartment

An Urbandale man is being investigated after witnesses reported hearing him talk about making a dirty bomb.

Two witnesses told law enforcement that Justin Sheridan has done things and said things that they consider a threat to the public. That was enough for law enforcement to open an investigation that they classify as a terrorism threat case.

State and local agents moved in to search Sheridan’s apartment and vehicle last week.

A written statement to law enforcement from an informant states that "(Sheridan) told me he's found out how to make...a fertilizer bomb, and that he doesn't expect to live long...so he said he's going to go out with a bang...he's an anarchist."

The statement also said, "I notified the FBI because he's started to collect smoke detectors for material in making a bomb... using the radioactive material in the detectors."

A second informant told law enforcement, "Justin Sheridan wanted (me) to provide smoke detectors from the job sites...so that he could remove the 'Alpha emitter to make a bomb.'"

A task force of agents searched Sheridan's apartment and found "a cardboard box with smoke detector parts wrapped in tin foil. The parts are Americium - 241 Alpha Emitters."

"This individual was attempting to collect very small, minute traces of radioactive material that's in a smoke detector. But as I understand it, it's such a minute amount of radiation that it really doesn't pose a problem to anybody unless they actually ingest it," said James Saunders with Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Agents also seized computer equipment, guns, gun magazines, ammunition, a "tactical" black vest and ski mask, and a vibrating lock pick.

Agents told KCCI that, while searching the apartment, they found evidence of an illegal psychedelic mushroom growing operation. They called in drug agents, who sought a second search warrant to focus on the drugs.

The informant who went to the FBI told law enforcement, "After Virginia Tech, Columbine and other incidents, I didn't want any potential loss of life having not done anything to stop it."

"He did pose a risk. And so we're fortunate that the public stepped up and reported the suspicious activity, and law enforcement took immediate action," Saunders said.

Saunders said the public was not at risk from the radioactive material because it was so small an amount. Agents are testing the weapons found, and they're searching Sheridan's computer before deciding whether to file any charges.

Sheridan was booked at the Polk County Jail and has since been released.

Busted Los Angeles drug ring had ties to Hezbollah

WASHINGTON - A seemingly small-time drug ring busted this week in Los Angeles was actually targeted for funding the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, the Daily News has learned.

Prosecutors left out the terror tie when they announced Tuesday that federal agents and local cops had arrested a dozen people for allegedly peddling cocaine and counterfeit clothing in Bell, Calif.

But several sources familiar with the investigation said the predominantly Arab-American gang was believed to have smuggled its crime cash to the Iranian-backed terror group.

"This was a classic case of terrorism financing, and it was pretty sophisticated how they did it," a source close to Operation Bell Bottoms told The News.

The defendants once crammed $123,000 in money orders into a stuffed animal flown to Lebanon, an indictment alleged.

The Justice Department's national security division and an FBI counterterrorism agent have signed all the court filings.

Because information linking the gang to Hezbollah came from classified intelligence, the alleged ringleader and "his siblings and associates" face criminal charges instead of a terror rap.

...could cause one to fail to notice the links between the Chechen jihadis and the global jihad.

Chechen mujahedin commander Ebu Zer, of Turkey, with Emir Dokku, in a recent video

Chechen rebel urges global jihad

A Chechen Muslim rebel leader is reported to have described the US, Britain and Israel as legitimate targets in a jihad, or holy war.

Doku Umarov said it was not just the Russian security forces who deserved to be attacked.

The separatist leader said all those who fight Muslims anywhere in the world were enemies.

Other Chechen separatists have denounced the statement, which was sent to US-backed Radio Liberty.

It was made earlier this month, apparently to coincide with the birthday of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but a video of it has only just been received by the radio station.

Mr Umarov said: "Our brothers are fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Palestine.

"Our common enemies are all those who have attacked Muslims wherever they are.

"Not only Russia, but also the USA, the UK, Israel and all those waging war against Islam and Muslims are our enemies."

Terrorism suspects fit mold, professor testifies in Miami court

October 31, 2007 - Defense attorneys shouted objections and asked for a mistrial. But their complaints didn't stop the government's controversial expert witness from making his point to the jury on Tuesday.

The seven men on trial in Miami federal court, charged with supporting al-Qaida, fit the mold of homegrown terrorists, said Raymond Tanter, a terrorism professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Prosecutor Allyson Fritz ticked off the defendants' names, one by one: Narseal Batiste, Stanley Phanor, Naudimar Herrera, Rothschild Augustin, Burson Augustin, Lyglenson Lemorin and Patrick Abraham.

Where, Fritz asked, did each man fall among the four stages law enforcement agencies use to describe how ordinary people become terrorists?

Each time, Tanter responded with the name of the final phase in that process, a stage he labeled "jihadization."

Mubarek is dying. The Ikhwan will inherit.

US may sell 2 early warning aircraft to Egypt; Northrop Grumman to benefit

The Pentagon notified has Congress of a possible sale to Egypt of two E-2C airborne early warning and command aircraft. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency valued the sale at 75 mln usd, and said the sale would ensure "enhanced fleet communications and interoperability." "The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it said in a statement. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp in Bethpage, New York would be the prime contractor, it said...

Not that Mubarek is so great either...

Israel concerned Egypt will smuggle terrorists into Gaza

The government and defense establishment are becoming increasingly concerned over the closer ties Egypt and the Hamas government are forging in the Gaza Strip and over Egypt's turning a blind eye to continued smuggling from Sinai to the Gaza Strip. An Israeli government and defense delegation to Cairo recently protested Egypt's allowing gunmen to enter the Strip from its territory. At the beginning of October Egypt allowed some 85 Hamas militants to enter the Gaza Strip from Sinai after a wait of a few months. The group reportedly included experts in manufacturing bombs, rockets and mortars, who had undergone extensive training in Iran and Lebanon...