Free Republic

DETROIT - A man charged with smuggling dlrs 12 million in bogus cashiers checks into the United States told agents the man named on the checks may belong to al-Qaida, authorities said Wednesday. Omar Shishani, 47, also told investigators during an interview that "if you want to know about terrorism, I can help you with that," Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Straus said during a hearing. Defense attorney Nabih Ayad denied his client ever made such statements. Shishani, who was born in Jordan but is of Chechen descent, was arrested last week after arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a flight...

Government: Man indicted on phony check charge says he could provide terrorism information The government is investigating whether Shishani has ties to terrorist organizations, but his name is not on the terrorist watch list created by U.S. intelligence agencies. Two of the checks found were for $5 million each; two were for $500,000 each; and five were for $200,000 each, an affidavit said. The checks, labeled ``cashier check,'' were purportedly issued by the Pomona, Calif., branch of West America Bank. Shishani's brother, Ali, said Wednesday that he had little information on the checks found in his brother's possession other than...

Man indicted on phony check charge DETROIT (AP) A man arrested for allegedly carrying $12 million in phony cashiers checks was indicted Tuesday, the U.S. attorney's office said. Omar Shishani is charged with knowingly making or possessing a forged security. He was arrested last week after he arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a flight from Indonesia. Officials say they found nine cashiers checks, believed to be forged, during a search of Shishani's bags. A U.S. law enforcement official also has said the FBI is investigating whether Shishani has ties to terrorist organizations, but his name is not on the...