Al-Qaeda plotter jailed for 30 years
July 21, 2006
A PAKISTANI man convicted of participating in an al-Qaeda plot to blow up service stations in the United States was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a US federal judge today.
Uzair Paracha had been found guilty in November, 2003, after a two-week trial, on five charges, including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.
"Paracha attempted to help an al-Qaeda operative enter the United States to carry out terrorist attacks within our borders," US Attorney Michael Garcia said after the sentencing in New York.
"We are committed to the vigorous prosecution of all those who provide support to terrorist organisations, in whatever form," he said.
Paracha, who has permanent alien residence status, was specifically charged with posing as a former US resident, Majid Khan, to obtain immigration papers that would allow Khan to slip back into the United States.
According to the FBI, Khan planned to carry out attacks on petrol stations on his return to the country.
The prosecution at the trial had relied largely on Paracha's confession to FBI agents which he later recanted, saying that it had been secured under pressure and insisting he had no connection with al-Qaeda.
His argument was dismissed by US District Court Judge Sidney Stein who said Paracha was fully aware of who he had been dealing with.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19861866-1702,00.html
Here's an update on the Texas City chemical story from yesterday:
http://www.khou.com/news/local/galveston/stories/khou060719_mh_aptexplosion.2c85bac.html
Jetton said to be hard worker who 'liked to see things explode'
>>11 News has learned more about the two suspects involved in an apartment explosion in Texas City.
One of them, 21-year-old Matthew Rugo, was killed in the explosion at the Lakeview apartments Wednesday.
His roommate, 21-year-old Curtis Jetton, was injured in the blast.
Authorities say they were making peroxide-based explosives in their apartment in the 8800 block of Palmer Highway.
Jetton was injured and is now charged with filing a false report. He's being held on a $10,000 bond.
Jetton's mother gave 11 News an earful, but refused to speak on camera. She said her son has suffered from a mental disorder since he was young.
She angrily denied that her son had any involvement with any hate group.
11 News sources say the pair may have belonged to a local, four-member group which professes its hatred for the American government.
We're told that two members of that group are women and those women allegedly admitted to investigators their affiliation to this anarchist group.
Our sources tell us there is no evidence pointing to any international terrorism ties. However the chemical they were apparently using is popular with suicide bombers and other terrorists.
Investigators suspect Rugo was making explosives for a weekend entertainment activity. They said he and his friends allegedly liked to blow things up. <<