Hearld Sun ^ Posted on 08/19/2004 11:02:31 AM EDT by esryle A GANG of British terror suspects has been charged with plotting to launch a "dirty bomb" or mini nuclear blast on London.
The attacks, on targets such as Heathrow and the Parliament, were planned to coincide with similar strikes on major buildings in the US. The leader of the group is believed to be Osama bin Laden's UK general, Dhiren Barot.
Born into a respected family of Kenyan expatriates, Barot, 32, was raised a Hindu before being converted to radical Islamism in his 20s and becoming one of al-Qaida's European linchpins.
Barot and seven other members of the suspected al-Qaida sleeper cell were in custody last night after they were charged with conspiracy to murder and other terror-related crimes.
The men, aged 20 to 32, were arrested in a series of raids on August 3. Police discovered detailed reconnaissance plans of landmark American buildings including the New York Stock Exchange, the Prudential Building in New Jersey, the International Monetary Fund in Washington and Citigroup's New York headquarters.
But investigators made a more chilling find. Manuals on the use of radioactive materiel and explosives that have convinced intelligence chiefs the gang was planning to launch a dirty bomb were also found. A dirty bomb is made with radioactive material wrapped around a core of high explosive.
Detonated in a densely populated city, it can kill thousands from radiation sickness and leave the area uninhabitable.
The five charges included conspiracy to murder, possession of documents likely to be useful for an act of terrorism and conspiracy to commit public nuisance. That last charge specified the gang was planning to use radioactive materials, toxic gases, chemicals and/or explosives to cause disruption, fear or injury. The charges were the first official confirmation that the suspects were linked to a high profile security scare in the US earlier this month.
US Attorney-General John Ashcroft said US agents had worked closely with Britain. Of more than 600 terror suspects arrested since the September 11 attacks, fewer than 100 have been charged and just 15 terrorism convictions have been upheld. Charged with conspiracy to murder were Dhiren Barot, 32, Omar Abdur Rehman, 20, Zia Ul Haq, 25, Abdul Aziz Jalil, 31, Nadeem Tarmohammed, 26, Moammed Naveed Bhatti, 24, Quaisar Shaffi, 25, and Junade Feroze, 28.
The attacks, on targets such as Heathrow and the Parliament, were planned to coincide with similar strikes on major buildings in the US.
Praise God they were stopped! I only hope this arrest upsets their co-conspirators here in the US.
Thanks for the ping and BumPING ;)