Posted on 10/17/2012 7:04:32 PM PDT by Nachum
Updated at 8 p.m. ET: NEW YORK - A suspected terrorist parked a van packed with what he thought was a 1,000-pound bomb next to the Federal Reserve building in Lower Manhattan and tried to detonate it Wednesday morning before he was arrested in a terror sting operation, authorities said.
The suspect, 21-year-old Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis, is a Bangladeshi national who came to the U.S. on a student visa in January for the specific purpose of launching a terror attack here, authorities said. He allegedly told an undercover agent last month that he hoped the attack would disrupt the presidential election, saying "You know what, this election might even stop," according to the criminal complaint against him.
(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.nbcnews.com ...
Thank you Cindy. I had heard that yesterday.
You just watch how this turns into something Obama touts as him doing his job, to relieve pressure on the Libyan scandal.
I appreciate the fact that you disagree with me on this, and that’s okay. I’m not trying to make converts. I’m just expressing my thoughts on this.
Take care.
Cindy, I understand how these operations are run. Reading the boiler plate descriptions of what has transpired won’t really dismiss my thoughts that this could probably have been executed earlier or later.
I’m not really convinced it had to take place on October 17th, or it couldn’t have been done successfully.
I’m not making the case that officers did something wrong.
This guy was a bad one, and others may disagree with me here. It’s good he’s off the streets.
It just happens to seem to me that this could have been done after the election. Once again, I’m not put off that you disagree.
Take care, and a good evening/morning to you too Cindy.
He is Fur Shur the real doufous!
FBI.gov - New York - Press Release: "JOINT TERRORISM TASK FORCE ARRESTS MAN IN LOWER MANHATTAN AFTER HE ATTEMPTED TO BOMB NEW YORK FEDERAL RESERVE BANK Defendant Attempted to Strike New York's Fionancial District on Behalf of al Qaeda" (SNIPPET: "Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis (Nafis), 21, was arrested this morning in downtown Manhattan..." SNIPPET: "According to the criminal complaint filed today in the Eastern District of New York, defendant Nafis, a Bangladeshi national, traveled to the United States in January 2012 for the purpose of conducting a terrorist attack on U.S. soil.") (October 17, 2012) (Read More...)
NY DAILY NEWS.com: "FEDERAL RESERVE BOMB PLOT BUSTED: FBI Arrests Al Qaeda Wanna-Be Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis for Alleged Terror Plot" (SNIPPET: ""Nafis explained that he needed a big car with lots of fruits and vegetables in there which can blow up the whole New York Stock Exchange building," the complaint charges, explaining fruits and vegetables meant explosives." SNIPPET: "Fellow students said that in his short time at the school he became vice president of the Muslim Student Association.") [Note: Video, Photos, Timeline included.] (October 17, 2012; October 18, 2012) (Read More...)
KFVS12.com - (KFVS/RNN): Cape Girardeau, MO - "FORMER STUDENT ARRESTED IN TERROR PLOT" (SNIPPET: "According to officials at Southeast Missouri State University, Nafis was enrolled at the University for the Spring Semester 2012, from January 17 to May 11, 2012. He was an international student, pursuing a Bachelors of Science in cyber security.") (Updated October 17, 2012, 8:21 pm PDT) (Read More...)
Forum.INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "NYC FED BOMBER QUAZI MOHAMMAD REZWANUL AHSAN NAFIS" (SNIPPET: "This is how he presented on Facebook circa June of 2012, via the Friends list of Millatu Ibrahim leader Mohammed Mahmoud a/k/a/ Abu Usama Al-Gharib" [NOTE: Detailed Background & Info.] (October 18, 2012) (Read More...)
Nachum, your thread has been updated.
Thanks Cindy. Just threw it up on the Twitter feed.
You’re welcome and thank you Nachum.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/3778/questions-about-alleged-terrorist-bangladesh-links
For The Record - The IPT Blog
“Questions About Alleged Terrorist’s Bangladesh Links”
by Daniel E. Rogell Oct 22, 2012 at 3:11 pm
SNIPPET: “A Bangladeshi tabloid has speculated about links between alleged Federal Reserve Bank bomb plotter Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis and radicals at a national university.”
SNIPPET: “HuT advocates the overthrow of Western economic and political systems and the reestablishment of the Islamic super state, the Caliphate. Jamaat-e-Islami activists have been affiliated with terrorists, although the group generally works within the local political system to achieve a similar goal. But its leaders in Bangladesh have recently been indicted for participating in war crimes during the nation’s war for independence.”
SNIPPET: “The quotes may also shed some light on prosecutor Loretta Lynch’s statement that Nafis arrived in United States “already radicalized,” as well as comments by the would-be terrorist.”
SNIPPET: “Both HuT and Jamaat-e-Islami are active in the United States, with HuT maintaining a branch here.”
http://www.wdbo.com/ap/ap/crime/fed-plot-suspect-expected-to-plead-guilty-in-nyc/nWHyX/
Updated: 2:59 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 | Posted: 2:58 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013
“Fed plot suspect expected to plead guilty in NYC”
By TOM HAYS
The Associated Press
NEW YORK
SNIPPET: “A plea hearing in federal court in Brooklyn was scheduled Thursday for Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis. He was charged in October after an FBI sting with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to provide material support to al-Qaida. Investigators said in court papers that he came to the U.S. bent on jihad and worked out the specifics of a plot when he arrived.
Investigators said Nafis contacted a government informant, who then went to federal authorities.”
NOTE The following text is a quote:
fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2013/new-york-man-pleads-guilty-to-attempting-to-bomb-new-york-federal-reserve-bank-in-lower-manhattan
New York Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Bomb New York Federal Reserve Bank in Lower Manhattan
Defendant Attempted to Strike New Yorks Financial District on Behalf of al Qaeda
U.S. Attorneys Office
February 07, 2013
Eastern District of New York
BROOKLYNEarlier this afternoon, at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis, 21, pleaded guilty to attempting to detonate what he believed to be a 1,000 pound bomb at the New York Federal Reserve Bank on Liberty Street in lower Manhattans financial district. The charge to which Nafis pleaded guilty, attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, carries a sentence of up to life imprisonment.
The guilty plea was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Lisa Monaco, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; George Venizelos, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI, New York Field Office; and Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD).
According to todays guilty plea and documents filed in the case, Nafis, a Bangladeshi national, traveled to the United States in January 2012 intending to fight violent jihad. Nafis attempted to recruit multiple individuals to form a terrorist cell inside the United States. He brought with him digital media containing bomb-making instructions and speeches by Anwar al-Awlaki, a now deceased leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Nafis also actively sought out al Qaeda contacts within the United States to assist him in carrying out an attack. Unbeknownst to Nafis, one of the individuals he attempted to recruit was a source for the FBI. During their subsequent investigation, FBI agents and NYPD detectives working with the Joint Terrorism Task Force closely monitored Nafis as he attempted to implement his plan.
Nafis proposed several targets for terrorist attack, including a high-ranking U.S. official and the New York Stock Exchange. Ultimately, Nafis decided to conduct a bombing operation against the New York Federal Reserve Bank. In a written statement he devised to claim responsibility for the terrorist bombing of the Federal Reserve Bank on behalf of al Qaeda, Nafis wrote that he wanted to destroy America and that he believed the most efficient way to accomplish this goal was to target Americas economy. In this statement, Nafis also included quotations from our beloved Sheikh Osama bin Laden to justify the killing of women and children that Nafis expected would result from the attack.
During the investigation, Nafis came into contact with an FBI undercover agent who posed as an al Qaeda facilitator. At Nafiss request, the undercover agent supplied Nafis with 20 50-pound bags of purported explosives. Nafis then worked to store the material and assemble the explosive device for his attack. Nafis purchased components for the bombs detonator and conducted surveillance for his attack on multiple occasions in New York Citys financial district in lower Manhattan. Throughout his interactions with the undercover agent, Nafis repeatedly asserted that the plan was his own and was the reason he had come to the United States.
On October 17, 2012, the day of the planned attack, Nafis met the undercover agent and traveled in a van to a warehouse located in the Eastern District of New York. While en route, Nafis explained to the undercover agent that he had a Plan B that involved conducting a suicide bombing operation in the event that the attack was about to be thwarted by the police. Upon arriving at the warehouse, Nafis assembled what he believed to be a 1,000-pound bomb inside the van. Nafis and the undercover agent then drove to the New York Federal Reserve Bank. During this drive, Nafis armed the purported bomb by assembling the detonator and attaching it to the explosives. Nafis and the undercover agent parked the van next to the New York Federal Reserve Bank, exited the van, and walked to a nearby hotel. There, Nafis recorded a video statement to the American public which he intended to release in connection with the attack. During this video statement, Nafis stated, We will not stop until we attain victory or martyrdom. Nafis then repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, attempted to detonate the bomb, which had been assembled using the inert explosives provided by the undercover agent. JTTF agents arrested Nafis immediately after he attempted to detonate the bomb.
As todays guilty plea shows, the defendant came to this country not to further his studies but to advance the goals of jihad. Once here, he devoted his energies to refining his plan to disrupt the U.S. economy and kill Americans and attempting to recruit others to join him. Ultimately, he resolved to commit mass murder in downtown Manhattan through an attack on the New York Federal Reserve Bank, a symbol of Americas economy. With diligence and determination, Nafis attempted to carry out his plan in the name of al Qaeda. We are committed to protecting the safety of all Americans, including the hundreds of thousands who work in New Yorks financial district. We will not wait for our enemies to attack us before using the tools at our disposal to discourage, disrupt, and, ultimately, detain them with lengthy terms of incarceration, stated U.S. Attorney Loretta E. Lynch. I would like to thank our partners at the FBI, NYPD, United States Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations, New York State Police, the other agencies who participate in the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), and the Department of Justices National Security Division for their hard work on this important investigation. I would also like to thank the security teams at the New York Federal Reserve Bank and the New York Stock Exchange for their assistance.
Rezwanul Nafis today admitted that he came to America for the purpose of conducting terrorist attacks, that he tried to recruit others into his plans, and that he ultimately concocted and attempted to carry out an attack against the New York Federal Reserve Bank. Thanks to a coordinated undercover law enforcement effort, his plot was thwarted. I applaud the many agents, analysts, and prosecutors who helped bring about todays successful outcome, said Lisa Monaco, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos stated, Nafis admits he came to the U.S. intent on committing jihad, assembled a bomb for that purpose, and attempted to detonate it. Thankfully, among those who stood between him and his goal were a source and an undercover FBI agent. In order to stop those committed to terrorism from conspiring with others who would actually help them, we will continue to use all available tactics, including the use of undercover agents. There is no more important mission.
NYPD Commissioner Kelly stated, Nafis is just one of the more recent examples of individuals charged in terrorist plots against targets in New York City. There have been 16 plots against the city that we know of since the World Trade Center Twin Towers were destroyed in 2001. Time and again, individuals intent on making a violent terrorist statement select New York City as their venue. Thats why, as in many other cases, the NYPD cooperated closely with federal prosecutors and the Joint Terrorism Task Force of the FBI to bring Nafis to justice.
The defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of life. His sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2013, before Chief Judge Carol B. Amon, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn.
The governments case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James P. Loonam and Richard M. Tucker, with assistance from Trial Attorney Bridget Behling of the Justice Departments Counterterrorism Section.
http://www.investigativeproject.org/3905/man-pleads-guilty-in-plot-to-bomb-federal-reserve
For The Record - The IPT Blog
“Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Bomb Federal Reserve Bank”
by Abha Shankar Feb 7, 2013 at 6:03 pm
SNIPPET: “A Bangladeshi man pleaded guilty Thursday to attempting to bomb the New York Federal Reserve Bank in lower Manhattan. Quazi Mohammed Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis came to America in January 2012 with the sole purpose of carrying out violent jihad.
Nafis brought digitized files of bomb-making instructions and speeches by Awlaki when he came to America. Once here, Nafis sought people to form a terrorist cell to work with him in plotting jihadi attacks. One person he connected with turned out to be an FBI undercover agent. Nafis’s jihadist views were shaped by videotaped sermons of Anwar al-Awlaki, an al-Qaida leader in Yemen who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in September 2011. Nafis also admired Osama bin Laden whom he referred to as “Sheikh O” in conversations with the FBI agent.
Nafis asked the agent to help him obtain explosives, bought parts to make a detonator on his own and scouted targets in Manhattan’s financial district.”
NOTE The following text is a quote:
www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2013/al-qaeda-inspired-operative-sentenced-to-30-years-in-prison-for-attempting-to-bomb-federal-reserve-bank-in-new-york
Al Qaeda-Inspired Operative Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Attempting to Bomb Federal Reserve Bank in New York
Defendant Traveled to United States Intent on Committing Terrorist Attack; Attempted to Bomb New Yorks Financial District on Behalf of al Qaeda
U.S. Attorneys Office
August 09, 2013
Eastern District of New York
NEW YORKQuazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis, 22, who attempted to detonate a 1,000-pound bomb at the New York Federal Reserve Bank on Liberty Street in lower Manhattans financial district in October 2012, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison by Chief Judge Carol B. Amon of Eastern District of New York.
The sentence was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John Carlin, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security; George Venizelos, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI, New York Field Office; and Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD).
Nafis came to the United States radicalized and bent on fighting jihad here in our homeland, stated U.S. Attorney Lynch. He sought to commit mass murder in downtown Manhattan in the name of al Qaeda.
The prospect of widespread death and destruction could not dissuade him from his deadly plan. Nafiss goals of martyrdom and carnage were thwarted by the vigilance of law enforcement. He will now spend the next 30 years where his own actions have landed him, in a federal prison cell. I would like to thank our partners at the FBI, NYPD, Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Secret Service, the other agencies who participate in the JTTF, and the Department of Justices National Security Division for their hard work on this important investigation. I would also like to thank the security teams at the New York Federal Reserve Bank and the New York Stock Exchange for their assistance.
With the sentence handed down today, Rezwanul Nafis is being held accountable for his attempt to carry out a terrorist attack on U.S. soil, said Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Carlin. I applaud the many agents, analysts, and prosecutors who ensured that his deadly plans never came to fruition and who are responsible for todays successful outcome.
As set forth in the indictment and other case filings, defendant Nafis, a Bangladeshi national, traveled to the United States in January 2012 intending to fight violent jihad. Nafis possessed operable bomb-making instructions and attempted to recruit multiple individuals to form a terrorist cell inside the United States. Nafis also actively sought out al Qaeda contacts within the United States to assist him in carrying out an attack. Unbeknownst to Nafis, one of the individuals he attempted to recruit into his jihadist cell was actually a source for the FBI. During the subsequent investigation, FBI agents, NYPD detectives and other law enforcement agents working with the FBIs New York Joint Terrorism Task Force were able to closely monitor Nafis as he attempted to implement his plan.
Nafis proposed several targets for his attack, including a high-ranking U.S. official and the New York Stock Exchange. Ultimately, Nafis decided to conduct a bombing operation against the New York Federal Reserve Bank. In a statement claiming responsibility for the terrorist bombing of the Federal Reserve Bank on behalf of al Qaeda, Nafis wrote that he wanted to destroy America and that he believed the most efficient way to accomplish this goal was to target Americas economy. In this statement, Nafis also included quotations from our beloved Sheikh Osama bin Laden to justify the fact that Nafis expected that the attack would involve the killing of women and children.
During the investigation, Nafis came into contact with an FBI undercover agent who posed as an al Qaeda facilitator. At Nafiss request, the undercover agent supplied Nafis with 20 50-pound bags of purported explosives. Nafis then stored the material and assembled the explosive device for his attack. Nafis purchased components for the bombs detonator and conducted surveillance for his attack on multiple occasions in New York Citys financial district. Throughout his interactions with the undercover agent, which were captured on recordings, Nafis repeatedly asserted that the plan was his own and the reason he had come to the United States was to commit an attack.
On October 17, 2012, the day of the planned attack, Nafis met the undercover agent and traveled in a van to a warehouse located in the Eastern District of New York. While en route, Nafis explained to the undercover agent that he had a Plan B that involved conducting a suicide bombing operation in the event that the attack was about to be thwarted by the police. Upon arriving at the warehouse, Nafis assembled what he believed to be an operational 1,000-pound bomb inside the van. Nafis and the undercover agent then drove to the New York Federal Reserve Bank. During this drive, Nafis armed the purported bomb by assembling the detonator and attaching it to the explosives. Nafis and the undercover agent parked the van next to the New York Federal Reserve Bank, exited the van, and walked to a nearby hotel. There, Nafis recorded a video statement which he intended to release to the public in connection with the attack. During this video statement, Nafis stated: We will not stop until we attain victory or martyrdom. Nafis then repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, attempted to detonate the bomb, which had been assembled using inert explosives provided by the undercover agent. JTTF agents arrested Nafis immediately after he attempted to detonate the bomb.
On February 7, 2013, in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, Nafis pleaded guilty to attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.
During the guilty plea proceeding, Nafis admitted under oath that he had attempted to bomb the Federal Reserve Bank in Manhattan, that he had used a cellular phone as the detonator for the explosion and that he had selected the Federal Reserve Bank as the target for his attack.
The governments case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James P. Loonam and Richard M. Tucker, with assistance from Trial Attorney Bridget Behling of the Justice Departments Counterterrorism Section.
No, it couldn’t have been arranged for after the election because the guy’s motive was to foil the election.
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