FBI says Idaho graduate student tried gaining access to lab with radioactive material

AP ^ | Dec 07, 2003

[witnesstothefall]

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho -- A University of Idaho graduate student who is under investigation for suspected terrorism ties obtained unauthorized access to a campus lab containing radioactive material, court documents allege.

Sami Omar Al-Hussayen, a Saudi national working on his computer science doctoral degree, quietly moved his student office from the Computer Science Department into the school's engineering isotope lab, apparently without his adviser's knowledge, according to the documents.

"The investigation of Sami Al-Hussayen has, from its outset, been focused on suspected material support to terrorism, particularly to Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network," FBI agent Michael Gnecknow said in the documents.

"I have yet to see any piece of evidence, when viewed as part of the totality of information developed, that would dissuade me from believing that Sami Al-Hussayen is supporting terrorism," Gnecknow said.

FBI agents say they were worried the nuclear waste could be used in a "dirty bomb." Such devices involve the use of conventional explosives to spread around radioactive waste.

Al-Hussayen is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 20 on charges of student visa fraud. He remains in custody without bond.

Although he has only been charged with visa fraud, authorities claim Al-Hussayen raised money that was funneled to Islamic charities including the Islamic Assembly of North America, which is under investigation for suspected terrorist ties. Al-Hussayen has denied the allegations.

Defense attorneys were unavailable for immediate comment Sunday.

[witnesstothefall]

And just this week we abandoned the program to track Middle Eastern males of terrorist age.

This is some scary stuff.

[Paul Atreides]

And just this week we abandoned the program to track Middle Eastern males of terrorist age.

Well, now, we can't hurt someone's feelings. Better that hundreds, thousand, or even millions should perish than for non-citizenry to have their feelings hurt.

[Delphinium]

This couldn't happen in Idaho could it?

[jocko12]

JUST HANG HIM NOW.

[janetgreen]

Virtual open borders with millions of illegal aliens strolling over the borders since 9/11, no tracking of visa violators, who is supposed to be watching for possible terrorists?

[WackyKat]

Sad to say, but it appears that it will take an incident 10 times as bad as Sept 11 to make this country finally abandon its PC insanity

[Delphinium]

good idea.

[Freedom2specul8]

"And just this week we abandoned the program to track Middle Eastern males of terrorist age."

Is that true? WHOA!

[yonif]

surprise, surprise

[Cicero]

As I understand it, we are no longer fingerprinting them. I hope someone is keeping track of them, but frankly I have very little confidence in our clintonoid intelligence services, in Tenet, or in Sessions.

They are still probably devoting more resources to peaceful abortion protestors than to Muslim terrorists.

[witnesstothefall]

Area Muslims cheer end of registration
Border watch system to replace post 9/11 program

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/gwinnett/1203/04muslims.html

Immigration and border security are two issues Bush is failing on, IMO. And I'm a Bush supporter.

[Freedom2specul8]

"Immigration and border security"

I totally agree...it's been a problem for so long, I can't figure out why we can't get SOMEONE on top of it. I had a friend who has since passed away, that said we need to put a wall up along the border... Now it doesn't seem like a bad idea.

[Freedom2specul8]

I have little confidence too... It makes me wanna puke. What in the world has to happen for someone to get it taken care of?

[AngrySpud]

" ... an incident ten times as bad as Sept 11th ... "

I fear that is exactly what al Qaida is planning next. I doubt they intend to waste their assets on individual suicide shoe bombers. If it happens, there will be massive round-ups and deportations, and border security will finally get serious.

[gcruse]

As soon as I saw the headline, I figured the student would have a middle eastern name. The fact that he did further emboldens me to predict that all the elderly women on campus have therefore been shaken down by the security police.

[gcruse]

What in the world has to happen for someone to get it taken care of?

It's like the question, "How many people does OJ have to kill before he is a murderer?"  Answer- more than two, evidently.

"How many skyscrapers have to be brought down before America is serious about fighting domestic terrorism?"  Answer- more than two, evidently.

[Cindy]

A Link of Interest:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1016076/posts

"Prosecutors take issue with lawyer for Al-Hussayen" (terrorist/saudi gov link)
idaho statesman ^ | 11/5/03


Posted on 11/06/2003 8:34:02 AM PST by knak

[flutters]

Wife of Sami Al-Hussayen Agrees to Leave United States

Prosecutors take issue with lawyer for Al-Hussayen (terrorist/saudi gov link)

Al-Hussayen's wife shared terrorist views, FBI claims

Al-Hussayen may be deported

Saudi Student in Idaho Isotope Lab Probed

Another U. of Idaho Terrorist Link Suspected

[zip]

ping

[jnarcus]

It seems to me if these Islamists want tomake a big splash and do something really nasty they would pick Christmas day to do so ( or maybe Christmas Eve if they want lots of death)...I just think we aren't soing enough to be vigilant and take care of people who are obviously out to destroy us