Aimed at targeting Dallas home of ex-president Bush
Thursday, 24 February 2011
The FBI has arrested a 20-year-old Saudi student in Texas suspected of planning a terrorist attack using explosive chemicals. The FBI said his possible targets included the Dallas home of former President George W. Bush.
Khalid Ali-M al-Dawsari, 20, a Saudi national who came to Texas on student visa in 2008, was arrested late Wednesday and faces charges of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, according to AFP.
According to the FBI, al-Dawsari wrote himself an email entitled "NICE TARGETS," and then listed two types of targets: hydroelectric dams and nuclear power plants. In another email titled "Tyrant's House," he listed the address of Bush's home.
The authorities' affidavit also alleges that al-Dawsari researched using dolls to hide explosives and concealing them in a backpack to target a nightclub.
Prosecutors said al-Dawsari, who was admitted into the United States in 2008 on a student visa, posted extremist messages on a blog, vowing jihad.
"You who created mankind... grant me martyrdom for Your sake and make jihad easy for me only in Your path," he wrote.
Earlier this month, a chemical supplier reported his suspicions about al-Dawsari to the FBI, after the man tried to buy large amounts of phenol, which can be used to make explosives. He had tried to have the chemical sent to a freight company, which refused it.
Searches of his apartment uncovered chemicals, beakers and flasks, wiring and a Hazmat suit, among other items, the FBI said.
Agents also allegedly discovered a journal which revealed that al-Dawsari came to the United States specifically for terror attacks.
One entry describes how al-Dawsari said his scholarship "will help tremendously in providing me with the support I need for Jihad."
"And now, after mastering the English language, learning how to build explosives and continuous planning to target the infidel Americans, it is time for Jihad," he wrote, according to the FBI affidavit.
He was allegedly planning on renting several cars using different identifications, putting bombs in them and fleeing.
Al-Dawsari faces life in prison and is expected to make his first court appearance in Texas on Friday.
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