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| Missile-Plot Suspect Faces ’Dirty Bomb’ Allegations |
| 2003-12-19 |
| Forgot all about this arrest: A suspected arms dealer accused of supporting terrorists in a missile-smuggling plot also offered to deliver tanks, anti-aircraft guns and a radioactive "dirty bomb," prosecutors said after the man was indicted Thursday. Hemant S. Lakhani also offered to broker a deal for several tons of C-4 explosive, according to the federal indictment. Lakhani, 68, an Indian-born British citizen, has been held without bail since his arrest in August following a sting operation. His lawyer, Henry E. Klingeman, said his client is not a terrorist and has no history of illegal arms trafficking. Klingeman added that Lakhani had no ability to obtain a "dirty bomb" or the military equipment. "The plot constituting the government’s case was conceived, planned and executed by government agents. Mr. Lakhani was set up by a paid informant and induced to participate," Klingeman said. "Lies, all lies!" Prosecutors say more than 150 covertly recorded conversations prove that Lakhani was trying to deal arms to terrorists. One video taken minutes before Lakhani’s arrest shows him handling an anti-aircraft missile in a hotel near Newark Airport, U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said. He added that Lakhani believed he was obtaining the weapon for a man representing a Somali terrorist group. The shoulder-fired missile was a fake, provided by undercover Russian agents working with the FBI. "The evidence makes clear that Lakhani had the intention and ability to put a missile into the hands of a terrorist," Christie said. "It also shows that he suggested a plan for multiple attacks on American cities with the missiles he was willing to sell to people he believed would do it." The prosecutor said Lakhani said the missiles could be used most effectively in terrorizing America if 10 to 15 commercial aircraft were shot down simultaneously across the country. Charges against Lakhani include money laundering, providing material support to terrorists and unlawful brokering of foreign defense articles. The two money-laundering counts carry the longest maximum sentence: 20 years in prison. They are also the easiest to prove. Lakhani is expected to plead innocent when arraigned, probably within the next two weeks. Still got time to cut a deal. Also arrested in August were Yehuda Abraham, 76, a New York diamond dealer, and an Indian citizen, Moinuddeen Ahmed Hameed, 38. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Clark declined to say why they were not indicted with Lakhani. Abraham, who is free on $10 million bond, and Hameed, who is being held without bail, remain charged in an FBI complaint with conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #1 dirty bomb? Is he related to Padilla? Now that Padilla is going to the civilian courts, I suspect his intel is either used up or not as useful. Maybe we'll see more on the dirty bomb case/connections now. |
| Posted by: B 2003-12-19 11:31:56 AM |