AUSTRALIA:
"The situation is complicated -- and made more dangerous -- by the fact that the training camp attended by Hayat was apparently overseen by a Pakistani militant leader long associated with the activities of jihadi groups in Kashmir -- the Muslim-majority region divided and disputed between Pakistan and majority-Hindu India.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil is leader of the jihadi group once known as Harkat-ul-Mujahedin -- set up with the support of Pakistan's military and intelligence apparatus to wage a low-intensity war against the Indian authorities in their part of Kashmir.
According to Abbas, who profiled the militant leader in his recent book "Pakistan's Drift into Extremism," Khalil "has been closely aligned to Pakistan's intelligence services."
Abbas said that despite several requests from the United States very little action was ever taken against him. He was briefly detained and questioned last year and has been under house arrest, but was released earlier this year and has now vanished.
"He still has acquiescence (in his activities) and sympathy, if not outright support, from the intelligence agencies," said Abbas.
For The Record and ON THE NET...
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http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsreleases/articles/050609sacramento.htm
News Release
June 9, 2005
JTTF INVESTIGATION CONTINUES IN LODI, CALIFORNIA
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Charles DeMore, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), confirmed today an investigation being conducted in Lodi, California. This is a long-term, ongoing investigation being conducted by the Sacramento Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).
Based on the investigation conducted to date, there is no information to indicate there is an immediate danger to public welfare or safety. Specifically, the FBI has no information about specific threats to hospitals and food stores.
On June 5, 2005, Hamid Hayat, married, age 24, was arrested in Sacramento by FBI agents. His father, Umer Hayat, married, age 47, was also arrested in Sacramento later that same day. They were both arrested without incident.
On June 6, 2005, the United States Attorney's Office filed criminal complaints charging each with one count alleging violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 1001 (a) (2), making a false statement to a Federal Agent. These charges are merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Also, on June 6, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Mohammed Adil Khan and Shabbir Ahmed for violating the terms of their visas. Both remain in ICE custody on administrative immigration charges and will be afforded the opportunity to appear before an Immigration Judge. Khan is a citizen of Pakistan who is affiliated with the Farooqia Islamic Center near Lodi, California. Ahmed is a citizen of Pakistan who currently functions as the Imam of the Lodi Mosque.
This investigation is a collaborative effort by various Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies comprising the Joint Terrorism Task Force JTTF.
# ICE #
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http://sacramento.fbi.gov/pressrel/2005/06082005.htm
FBI NEWS RELEASE
U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
4500 Orange Grove Avenue
Sacramento, California 95841
For Immediate Release
June 8, 2005 Media Contact: SA John M. Cauthen, (916) 977-2249
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES IN LODI, CALIFORNIA
SACRAMENTO, CA Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott confirmed today an investigation being conducted in Lodi, California. This is a long?term, ongoing investigation being conducted by the Sacramento Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).
Based on the investigation conducted to date, there is no information to indicate there is an immediate danger to public welfare or safety. Specifically, the FBI has no information about specific threats to hospitals and food stores.
On June 5, 2005, Hamid Hayat, married, age 22, was arrested in Sacramento by FBI agents. His father, Umer Hayat, married, age 47, was also arrested in Sacramento later that same day. They were both arrested without incident.
On June 6, 2005, the United States Attorney's Office filed criminal complaints were filed, charging each with one count alleging violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 1001 (a) (2), making a false statement to a Federal Agent. These charges are merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Also, on June 6, 2005, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Mohammed Adil Khan and Shabbir Ahmed for violating the terms of their visas. Both remain in ICE custody on administrative immigration charges and will be afforded the opportunity to appear before an Immigration Judge. Khan is a citizen of Pakistan who is affiliated with the Farooqia Islamic Center near Lodi, California. Ahmed is a citizen of Pakistan who currently functions as the Imam of the Lodi Mosque.
This investigation is a collaborative effort by various Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies comprising the Joint Terrorism Task Force JTTF.
A press conference providing additional information will be held at the office of the United States Attorney located at 501 I Street, 10th Floor, Sacramento California at 1:30pm.
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