Federal prosecutors seek dismissal of perjury and fraud charges against Tustin man

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Source: Los Angeles Times

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have asked a judge to dismiss perjury and naturalization fraud charges against a Tustin man described in a court hearing last year as a terrorist sympathizer who regarded Osama bin Laden as "an angel" and allegedly planned to blow up buildings.

Though Ahmadullah Sais Niazi was not charged as a terrorist, prosecutors argued unsuccessfully to have him held without bond at a court hearing last year. An FBI agent testified that Niazi, who was born in Afghanistan, initiated jihadist rhetoric with an informant, discussed obtaining weapons, blowing up abandoned buildings and sending money overseas to the Afghan moujahedeen.

"Frankly, there is no amount of bail or equity in a home that can protect the citizens of this community," Assistant U.S. Atty. Deirdre Eliot argued at the hearing in February 2009. Niazi was granted bail but placed under home detention. Federal officials said at the time that their investigation into Niazi was ongoing.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-niazi-20101001,0,1293198.story