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Man arrested in alleged attempt to bomb Dallas skyscraper | |||
2009-09-25 | |||
Authorities said that Smadi was under continuous FBI surveillance. Federal agents posed as members of an al-Qa'ida sleeper cell. Smadi, who was in the U.S. illegally, allegedly told them that he came to the country specifically to commit "Jihad for the sake of God."
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert said city officials were notified of the impending arrest beforehand. "We were clearly communicated to that there was not going to be a danger to anybody," Leppert said. "There's a good working relationship between the police and the FBI. This is an example of that." Leppert mentioned that there was another terrorism arrest in Springfield today. Regarding the arrests in Dallas, Denver, New York City and Springfield, he said, "It's a comment on the world we live in. All of us need to be vigilant." According to an arrest warrant affidavit, an undercover FBI agent first came across Smadi in an online group of extremists. Smadi stood out to authorities because of an alleged "vehement intention to actually conduct terror attacks in the United States." Undercover agents communicated with Smadi more than 60 times, according to the affidavit. All conversations were in Arabic, which the affidavit says is Smadi's native language. "In the name of God, the Gracious and the Merciful, this is my vow to you, my brother, that I am ready," Smadi allegedly told undercover FBI agents. "And if you were a lover of Jihad as I am, then, by God, I am ready for the Jihadi life." | |||
Posted by:Steve White |