Imam From Va. Mosque Now Thought to Have Aided Al-Qaeda

[maddezmom]

Source: WaPost

By Susan Schmidt
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 27, 2008; Page A03

Even before the 2001 terrorist attacks, American-born imam Anwar al-Aulaqi drew the attention of federal authorities because of his possible connections to al-Qaeda. Their interest grew after 9/11, when it turned out that three of the hijackers had spent time at his mosques in California and Falls Church, but he was allowed to leave the country in 2002.

New information later surfaced about his contacts with extremists while in the United States. Now, U.S. officials are saying for the first time that they believe that Aulaqi worked with al-Qaeda networks in the Persian Gulf after leaving Northern Virginia. In mid-2006, Aulaqi was detained in Yemen at the request of the United States. To the dismay of U.S. authorities, Aulaqi was released in December.

"There is good reason to believe Anwar Aulaqi has been involved in very serious terrorist activities since leaving the United States, including plotting attacks against America and our allies," said a U.S. counterterrorism official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

U.S. authorities were limited in how far they could push Yemen to hold Aulaqi, officials said, because they have no pending legal case against him. The officials said ongoing intelligence-gathering efforts here and abroad prevented them from providing details about Aulaqi's suspected activities.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/26/AR2008022603267.html?hpid=topnews

[MiniMe]

1. No doubt they will say that they aquired this information by warrentless wiretapping

That's why we need to illegally wiretap everybodys phones. Yeah, right. Just get a damn warrent.

[harun]

2. He gave an interview after his release in Yeman on the role

of the United States government in detaining him:

http://www.mujahideenryder.net/2007/12/31/interview-with-imam-anwar-al-awlaki-after-his-release/

Anwar Awlaki is probably the most popular Islamic lecturer on Earth right now with Muslims.

[gratuitous]

3. No pending legal action, allegations of activities seven years ago

Another lightning fast response from the Bush administration, which has no credibility whatsoever anymore to be accusing anyone of anything. Maybe it would be best if the administration had a nice big cup of shut the hell up, and "Stenographer" Sue Schmidt can start looking for another job.

[harun]

4. I don't think anyone is going to buy it when they blow the dust off

these old cases and roll them all out around election time.

[SquireJons]

5. Imam From Va.

Is Pat Robertson at it again?