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| Lodi men indicted in al-Qaeda investigation |
| 2005-08-10 |
| A federal grand jury has handed up indictments against a Lodi father and his son accused of having ties to the terrorist group al-Qaeda. Hamid Hayat, 22, is charged with two of counts of lying to a federal agent according to court documents. Each count carries a potential penalty of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Hayat's father Umer, is charged with one count of lying to a federal agent. Hamid Hayat allegedly confessed to federal interrogators a week and a half ago that he received training at a Pakistani terrorist training camp run by al-Qaeda in 2003 and 2004. Hayat's father is accused of lying to investigators about his son's activities. The FBI believes Umer Hayat, 47, gave his son $100 a month while the younger man was allegedly in Pakistan at a terrorist training camp. Last week federal Judge Peter Nowinski denied bail to both defendants. According to an FBI affidavit, the investigation into Hamid Hayat began on May 29, when he flew from Pakistan to San Francisco. After the plane left South Korea, it was discovered Hayat was on the federal government's "No Fly" list. The plane was diverted to Tokyo. An FBI agent interviewed Hayat and he was moved to the "Selectee List" which allowed him to continue his trip to the U.S. After Hayat arrived in the U.S. he was interviewed Friday by the FBI at the bureau's Sacramento office. Documents allege he initially denied attending terrorist training camps. A lie detector test indicated deception and after two more hours of questioning, investigators say he admitted to attending a Jihadist terrorist camp for six months from 2003-04. While there he allegedly received training in the use of weapons and explosives. Three other Lodi men have also been arrested in connection with the investigation. Muhammed Adil Khan, 47; his son Mohammad Hassan Adil, 19; and Shabbir Ahmed, 42, are charged with immigration violations. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |