US arrests Saudi 'bomb plotter'

20 year old Saudi student accused of seeking to make bomb, possibly to target home of former US president Bush.

Middle East Online

According to the FBI, he wrote himself an email entitled 'NICE TARGETS' WASHINGTON - A Saudi man has been arrested for allegedly buying chemicals and equipment to make a bomb, possibly targeting the Dallas home of former president George W. Bush, officials said Thursday. Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, 20, a Saudi national who came to Texas on a student visa in 2008, was arrested late Wednesday and faces charges of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, the Department of Justice said. According to the FBI, Aldawsari 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 Dallas, Texas home. The authorities' affidavit also alleges that Aldawsari researched using dolls to hide explosives and concealing them in a backpack to target a nightclub. Prosecutors said Aldawsari came specifically for terror attacks and 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. In another, he said: "one operation in the land of the infidels is equal to ten operations against occupying forces in the land of the Muslims." Earlier this month, a chemical supplier reported his suspicions about Aldawsari 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. He was allegedly planning on renting several cars using different identifications, putting bombs in them and fleeing. Aldawsari, who faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a 250,000-dollar fine, is expected to make his first court appearance in Texas on Friday.