Moroccan man arrested in connection with Washington D.C. terrorist bombing plot

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
2/20/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Suspect provided with phony explosives provided by FBI agents

The latest terrorist plot on U.S. soil didn't get very far. Twenty-nine-year old Amine el-Khalifi was arrested in Washington D.C. as he approached the Capitol building. He posed absolutely no threat to anyone's safety whatsoever as he had been provided with phony explosives from FBI agents posing as al-Qaeda members.

Amine el-Khalifi made a brief appearance in a federal court in Virginia on Friday, wearing a green shirt and black pants and holding his arms together behind his back. A bail hearing is set for Wednesday.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to the FBI, The FBI, Amine el-Khalifi was arrested "in connection with a terrorism investigation.

"Explosives the suspect allegedly sought to use in connection with the plot had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement and posed no threat to the public," the statement said.

According to court papers, Khalifi arrived near the Capitol building in a van with two undercover operatives and walked toward the building.

U.S. Justice Department Spokesman Dean Boyd said the arrest capped an undercover operation in which the suspect had been closely monitored by law enforcement authorities.

Khalifi made a brief appearance in a federal court in Virginia on Friday, wearing a green shirt and black pants and holding his arms together behind his back. A bail hearing for Wednesday.

A criminal complaint charges him with knowingly and unlawfully attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction against property that is owned and used by the United States. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

FBI agents in blue jackets raided a home in Virginia after the arrest. A police car blocked the entrance. His place of residence has not yet been revealed.

A counterterrorism official told the Associated Press that Khalifi expressed an interest in killing at least 30 people and had considered several other targets, including a synagogue, before settling on the Capitol.

Khalifi had come to the United States as a 16 year old and is not currently believed to be associated with al-Qaeda. He did, however, believe that he was working with al-Qaeda operatives in the current plot, an affidavit submitted to the court said.

Khalifi had told acquaintances in January 2011 that he thought that the "war on terrorism'' was a "war on Muslims" and that they needed to be ready for war.

After Khalifi decided on the U.S. Capitol as his target, he asked his associates for more explosives, to be detonated remotely via a cell phone.

The investigation into Khalifi had been ongoing for more than a year.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Terrorist, terrorism, FBI, al-Qaeda, Washington D.C.

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1 - 4 of 4 Comments

Vance
1 year ago
I'm surprised that Eric Holder isn't there to defend the terrorist and accuse the FBI for violating his rights.
magyart
1 year ago
I can't help but notice this article omits the fact this terrorist was an illegal alien resident. He came to the country legally and overstayed his visa. Nearly half the illegal residents of this country over stayed their visa. I wonder how many others are inclined to a terrorist agenda ?

It's unfortunate, the Church supports illegal residensts. Not with food, and temporary shelter, but the means to stay here without a legal status. I believe it's wrong for the Church to do this, it's harming legal immigrants and citizens.
RICHARD PRICE
1 year ago
That's the Fed's alright. If a terrorist can't be found, then manufacture one.It looks like some gullible idiot was set up. This is the typical irresponsibility of our, over the top, law enforcement. There are thousands locked away in prisons who's only crime is being victims of law enforcement. Now, after encouraging, aiding and abetting this person they set back in impunity, Scott free from their actions while this probable victim must speed the rest of his life in prison, most likely in solitary confinement. If he had not been aided and encouraged, chances he would just have complained and that was all there would have been to it. The real criminals are wearing the badges. It is quite obvious this person was incapable of these actions on his own.
Fred
1 year ago
In another article (link below) it is written that Khalifi's visa expired in 1999. So he was living illegally in the US for 13 years. Why wasn't he deported?

Isn't this typical of our government? They mess up on the basics and then use this as an opportunity for a sting operation. The deportation would have costs tax payers a few thousand dollars, but the sting will run into the millions. And we're all supposed to feel saver now. Really?

http://www.stardem.com/article_9b0dfe5c-d2c9-5676-9afa-3509969aeb01.html

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