3 arrested for false statements in terror probe

UPDATED:

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 Qaeda in Pakistan.

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

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

Mr. Zazi repeatedly has denied to reporters any connection to al Qaeda or to a purported terrorist plot.

A senior U.S. intelligence official in Washington told he Associated Press on Friday that Mr. Zazi has indicated that he is directly linked with al Qaeda. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss intelligence matters, said that Mr. 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 Mr. Zazi may have been involved in a potential plot involving hydrogen-peroxide-based explosives like those cited in an intelligence warning issued Monday, according to two other law enforcement officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the investigation. Mr. Zazi denies any ties to al Qaeda or terrorism.

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

The terror probe gathered momentum after Mr. Zazi rented a car and drove from Denver to New York, crossing into Manhattan on Sept. 10. Mr. Zazi said he went to New York to resolve some issues with a coffee cart he owns in Manhattan, then flew home to Denver. The FBI searched Mr. Zazi’s rental car and laptop during the New York trip and listened in on telephone conversations, according to the affidavits.

On Monday, FBI agents and police officers with search warrants seeking bomb materials searched three apartments and questioned residents in the Queens neighborhood where Mr. Zazi stayed.

A Sept. 11 search of Mr. Zazi’s rental car in New York turned up a laptop computer that contained an image of nine pages of handwritten notes, according to court documents filed with the arrest warrant. Those notes included instructions about how to build explosives and detonators, the affidavits state.

Mr. Zazi was asked about the notes during FBI interviews last week and said he knew nothing about them, the documents said. Mr. Zazi allegedly told federal agents that he must have unintentionally downloaded the notes along with a religious book. He said he deleted it within a few days after realizing it discussed jihad, the affidavit said.

However, federal agents suspect Mr. Zazi received the notes via e-mail.

Story Continues →