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| Alleged jihadi trainer worked for the FBI |
| 2006-03-02 |
| There is a new twist in the Chicago connection to an al Qaeda terror plot. The scheme to attack American soldiers overseas involved a former member of the US military who was secretly working for the FBI. Investigators close to this case say that the insider who helped federal agents crack the terror ring was a highly trained former member of the US Army's Special Forces. He is in protective custody and is expected to be the key witness in the case. In the indictment he is referred to only as the trainer, because he was hired to train insurgents on how to kill US soldiers. The trainer was recruited just after 9/11, authorities say, by the owner of a Chicago travel agency who is now charged as a terrorist. Fresh from American Special Forces, the trainer was recruited in early 2002 by accused terrorist Marwan el-Hindi who lived in southwest suburban Hickory Hills. We have learned the trainer's name is Darren, but he was known in Muslim circles as "Bilal" and was hired to provide security and bodyguard training according to the indictment. In 2004, the FBI says Bilal was assigned by el-Hindi to help train for a holy war against US military in Iraq. In 2005, with firearms and bomb training, lessons in how to smuggle weapons through airports and a plan to show Chicago terrorist trainees a video of how to build suicide bombs. Through all of the meetings in Toledo with Marwan el-Hindi -- even in el-Hindi's own home -- after each shooting drill on this Toledo gun range, federal authorities say "the trainer" was providing the government with a running account of terrorist plans, plots and movements. A year ago, authorities say the trainer was given a new supervisor, suspect Mohammad Amawi, who plotted to order chemical weapons. Last summer, the two men traveled to Jordan to deliver computers to insurgents. The computers held plans for a series of roadside bombings of US military convoys. It is unclear whether any of the attacks took place, or whether last week's indictment of three accused terrorists in Ohio short-circuited the entire plan. What is certain: the trainer, Darren "Bilal" is not charged and he is not expected to be charged, having gone to authorities when he realized the plot involved attacks on soldiers he used to serve with. The trainer has been moved out of his Toledo apartment and celebrated his 40th birthday Wednesday in federal witness protection. No one answers his home phone and his voicemail is full. We have learned his last name, but have chosen not to use it, as authorities believe that his family could be in danger because he turned on terrorists. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #4 The NYT doesn't cover Chicago... |
| Posted by: Pappy 2006-03-02 21:28 |
| #3 restraint in publishing his name? whodathunk it? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-03-02 20:44 |
| #2 I continue to be in awe of the skill and courage of our special forces. Wow. |
| Posted by: lotp 2006-03-02 19:34 |
| #1 Thank you for this second service to your country, Darren. Well done! |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-03-02 19:22 |