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| Virginia jihadi charged |
| 2002-03-26 |
The grand jury also was investigating whether Idris or the acquaintance, Mohammed Hassan El-Yacoubi, were attempting to provide key support to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Idris and El-Yacoubi, 23, who lives in Fairfax, Virginia, arrived at JFK International Airport in New York City on Dec. 13 for an El Al flight bound for Tel Aviv. When the plane arrived In Israel, they were denied entry into the country and returned to the United States. The FBI discovered that El-Yacoubi was carrying a four-page letter that appears to be a farewell letter from his younger brother, a University of Virginia student, for a suicide mission in the name of "jihad" or holy war. "The overall tone of the letter clearly implies the use of violence and/or loss of life," the agent said. Idris was charged with lying when he testified before the grand jury in January and February. Idris denied knowing anyone who believes that suicide bombings can be justified. He also testified he had never heard any of his friends say the Sept. 11 attacks were the work of a Jewish or Zionist conspiracy. The agent said that if Idris had testified truthfully, the grand jury would have been more likely to determine that his travel to Israel was not merely as a tourist, but as someone intending to commit or provide key support for "acts of terrorism." Idris, El-Yacoubi and the brother all received their elementary and high school education at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Alexandria, Virginia. Ken Layne gives his take on the story. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |