This afternoon, the FBI’s New York bureau reports that a Tunisian citizen, Ahmed Abassi, has been charged “with two counts of knowingly making false statements in an application to the immigration authorities for a green card and work visa in order to facilitate an act of international terrorism.”
According to a press release, Abassi had been in regular contact with Chiheb Esseghaier, one of two men arrested by Canadian law enforcement in connection with a terror plot to blow up a passenger train.
Abassi met w/ Esseghaier in #NYC, who is under arrest in Canada on terrorism charges. Abassi had previously radicalized him.
— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) May 9, 2013
Abassi talked about engaging in acts of terror against US. Abassi wanted to support & recruit others for attacks as well. #NYC
— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) May 9, 2013
More from the press release:
During Abassi’s discussions with Esseghaier and with the [FBI undercover officer], which were recorded by the UC, Abassi discussed his desire to engage in terrorist acts against targets in the United States and other countries and his intention to provide support and funding to organizations engaged in terrorist activity—including the al Nusrah Front, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of State as an alias for Al Qaeda in Iraq—and to recruit other individuals for terrorist plots. In particular, Abassi discussed with the UC a number of individuals known to Abassi and/or to his associates, whom he described as like- minded and who, in his view, would be willing to engage in terrorist activity.
Here are the details on Ahmed Abassi: http://t.co/SSJFQRyEKP #NYC #terrorism
— FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) May 9, 2013
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