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Seven members of Moroccan parliament detained at Portland airport
The Moroccans were released but missed a connecting flight and spent all day at the airport before boarding another flight late Saturday night.
In the meantime, officials searched their luggage, the FBI questioned their intent and their American hosts — including Multnomah County Commissioner Serena Cruz — found themselves apologizing for what appeared to be a case of post-9/11 jitters.
"I'm very embarassed. I am really frustrated by their treatment here today," Cruz said.
Speaking through an interpreter, the visitors said they fully understand security precautions but said their treatment was unacceptable. They carried diplomatic passports and Delta Air Lines officials were aware of their status, they said.
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Part of the Portland-based support came from Elmahjoub Boulhanna, 42, a Moroccan national whose role is described in the arrest affidavit. Boulhanna, who attended the Portland mosque and has since left the United States, was "assisting the families of the mujahedeen fighters who had gone to carry out jihad in Afghanistan," according to the affidavit. It said Boulhanna also provided money for the defendants' return to Oregon. Battle is quoted in the affidavit telling an informant that "Boulhanna had gained the necessary funds from his Muslim brothers in Portland." Boulhanna also hosted Battle's wife, October Lewis. She lived in the Boulhanna apartment during the weeks that she repeatedly wired money overseas to Battle to help him reach Afghanistan, according to the arrest affidavit. She also e-mailed Battle that "Mr. C said to tell you they got five more brothers trying to enter for you know what." After Battle returned to Oregon in February 2002, he and Boulhanna talked about "the need for the Muslim community to carry on a jihad." The federal affidavit said Battle later briefed Boulhanna on Al Saoub's progress, reporting that he had made it into Afghanistan. Al Saoub reportedly also was in touch with Sofiane Benziadi, 31, who also attended the Portland mosque. Benziadi told the FBI he had heard at the mosque about a group heading to Afghanistan to join the Taliban. He later recanted that statement, saying instead he heard about the group on television news, but the trip didn't become public until nine months after his original statement to investigators. Benziadi also said Al Saoub called him in late 2001 but kept the conversation general and didn't disclose where he was. Al Saoub worried the FBI was monitoring Benziadi's phone, according to the arrest affidavit. Benziadi subsequently left the country following his arrest on immigration violations. Boulhanna and Benziadi were listed in a defense court filing as possible co-conspirators. Also listed were Ilir Koni, an Albanian who was among the men found shooting weapons at a Clark County gravel pit in the days after Sept. 11, 2001. Koni has left the country. - "FBI affidavit alleges American imam bankrolled jihad plot, " by LES ZAITZ , oregonlive.com , 08/23/03 , http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/978983/posts