Terror suspect linked to Afghan assassination(, Ahmed Shah Massood.)

The Age ^ | October 28, 2003 | NA

[Dog]

Terror suspect linked to Afghan assassination October 28, 2003 - 9:11AM

A Frenchman under investigation in Australia and France for possible terrorist activities was also suspected of links to the assassination of an Afghan leader, authorities said.

Willie Virgile Brigitte, 35, is in custody in a Paris area jail where he is being held on suspicion of association with a terror group, French police and justice officials said.

Investigations are under way in France and Australia into Brigitte's alleged links to the al-Qaeda terror network, French officials said today.

A judicial official said that Brigitte was also suspected of running false passports to the assassins of former anti-Taliban rebel leader in Afghanistan, Ahmed Shah Massood.

He was known as the "camper's chief" because he organised survival training lessons in Fontainebleau Gardens outside Paris before the September 11 attacks, the official said.

Brigitte, who allegedly fought with anti-US forces in Afghanistan, was captured on October 9 in Sydney after France warned Australia of his suspected al-Qaeda ties. He was returned to France under guard on October 17 and placed under investigation afterward.

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NSW Premier Bob Carr said Brigitte's arrest may have disrupted a terror cell in Australia. Authorities have raided several homes in Sydney and interviewed people who may have known him.

"This was a serious character whose presence here was worrying. He came out of training in terrorist training camps," said Carr.

"It's likely that they (authorities) are breaking up now some cell that has existed in Sydney."

Carr said contacts Brigitte had made and training he had received in Pakistan and Afghanistan "confirmed that he learned about explosives."

Australian Attorney General Philip Ruddock told reporters that French authorities had indicated Brigitte had been asked "to provide shelter to an expert in explosives," without elaborating.

French investigators haven't accused Brigitte of a terrorist plot or linked him to any attacks, but said he had spent months in al-Qaeda training camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Brigitte arrived in Australia in May. The Australian government has defended itself against claims that it acted slowly by insisting the French only alerted them to his possible presence on September 22.

French authorities contacted Australia again on October 7, warning that Brigitte may have been there for terror-related activity.

Brigitte is originally from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and had taken the Muslim name Abdelrahman.

Under questioning, Brigitte acknowledged he had travelled to Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban against US forces after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, French officials said.

France's counterintelligence service, the DST, has been tracking Brigitte for years, officials said.

- AP

[Dog]

Well I'll be...

[Dog]

More on the Aussie terror alert...

[Angelus Errare]

Boy, this guy sure got around, didn't he?

[Dog]

The Aussies have a problem it seems......this guy was planning something big.....and it is a race now to roll up the cell he was involved with before they can strike..

[aculeus]

Earlier report here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1008632/posts

[Catspaw]

Whoa! I just thought it was the capture of some guy with a silly name. The Masood assassination was the diversion for 9/11.

[Dog Gone]

He was only carrying out France's wishes. Isn't that a defense?

[nuffsenuff]

French terrorist?

I'll put money that this guy has been to Iraq's terrorist training camps. The French LOVE Iraq.

[Alter Kaker]

France did not wish for 9/11 or for death of Masood. Do not be fatuous.

[Dog Gone]

Perhaps they didn't wish for it, but the #1 bestseller in France for quite some time had as its premise that we planned and conducted 9/11 ourselves in order to justify military aggression.

In case you haven't noticed yet, they don't like us.

[Southack]

Actually, this Frenchman (Jean-Francois Revel) gets it.

[Alter Kaker]

Perhaps they didn't wish for it, but the #1 bestseller in France for quite some time had as its premise that we planned and conducted 9/11 ourselves in order to justify military aggression.

I have yet to meet Frenchman who believes conspriacy theory. On contrary, they have great hatreds for those who do.

[Dog Gone]

French buy into 9/11 conspiracy

[DoctorZIn]

... Actually, this Frenchman (Jean-Francois Revel) gets it.

And he is a marxist.

[Alter Kaker]

Apparently, you cannot read own language. I do not deny that this book exists and is succesful - just as Michael Moore and similar nut is succesful in United States - but astounding majority of Frenchman not only do not believe conspiracy craziness, but hate those who say such stupidity. I have not seen counter example and I know a great many Frenchman.

France and its crazy "intellectuals" resents America, but it is nothing at all like Al Qaeda craziness.

[Dog Gone]

Your evidence is the Frenchmen you know. I'm supposed to believe that is representative over the overwhelming evidence I've seen in every media report.

Furthermore, I'm supposed to believe that I can't even read my own language.

Let me suggest something novel to you. The world is not necessarily reflective of your personal life experience. You might want to consider some outside facts once in awhile.

[Dog Gone]

I might add that I've spent a few weeks in France on several occasions, although not recently, and I thought the French were terrific.

Except in Paris, where they were horrible. I have numerous true tales that would probably bore you.

[GeorgiaYankee]

The Masood assassination was the diversion for 9/11.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I always considered the Masood assassination to be Bin Laden's advance payment to the Taliban for not turning him over to the US for 9/11.

[X-FID]

Except in Paris, where they were horrible. I have numerous true tales that would probably bore you.

Although I never went to Paris I always found the French indifferent, but outside the cities like say Marseilles, the foreigners totally disliked the Frogs,and I couldn't blame them at all.

[leadpenny]

Interesting. Also, I need to get out more. The Age is a good read.

They also have this this morning: ASIS had role in Iraq war claims.

I leave it to either of you two if you think it deserves a separate thread.