NewsNet5.comNews
House & HomeFoodTechHomeTown ExpertsLiving GreenReal EstateWEDDINGSLawDatingAutosTravel
Democracy 2008EntertainmentEducationEmploymentDealsMade on the North CoastThe User-Friendly Phone BookFamily


E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Prosecutors: Men Came To Cleveland To Learn How To Kill Troops

POSTED: 4:59 pm EST February 22, 2007
UPDATED: 5:17 pm EST February 22, 2007

An Islamic meeting that took place in Cleveland is believed to be tied to the insurgency in Iraq.

Officials said two Chicago men came to northeast Ohio to learn how to kill U.S. troops.

From making roadside bombs to constructing the vest worn by suicide bombers, the agenda of the meeting in July 2004 was terror, reported NewsChannel5's Curtis Jackson.

Thousands of Muslims from across the country gathered in Cleveland that weekend for a meeting that was meant to raise awareness of issues affecting their community and help heal the emotional wounds of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

But officials said the event unknowingly because a rendezvous point for terrorists.

"Obviously a legitimate meeting was in some essence co-opted by terrorist groups and used not only to recruit but also to set up the training," said NewsChannel5 terrorism expert Al McGinty.

Federal prosecutors said Khaleel Ahmed and his cousin, Zubair Ahmed, came to Cleveland to meet a man referred to in the indictment as "the trainer."

According to officials, the men's goal was to learn how to make suicide bomb vests and improvised explosive devices to kill U.S. troops in Iraq.

The Ahmeds were introduced to the trainer by Marwan el Hindi, one of three U.S. citizens living in Toledo accused of plotting terror attacks in the U.S. and abroad, prosecutors said.

The Ahmeds are also U.S. citizens from Chicago.

"This shows, I think, that there is quite an alarming level of support in these communities for anti-American actions," McGinty said.

McGinty said arrests of Islamic-Americans trigger worse fears of homegrown terrorism in the U.S.

"Sooner or later, there will be an attack again in America, and our goal is to stop these in the early stages rather than let them go too far," he said.

Federal investigators were able to derail the plot with the help of the man known as "the trainer," who is an FBI informant and an Islamic Gulf War veteran.




Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Having trouble shedding winter flab? We can help get you back into (or just into) shape, and find workouts that work for you! More Details

Quality lighting could be the missing ingredient in your ability to sell your home. Make it stand out with these lighting tips. More Details

Looking to invest in foreclosed real estate? Find hundreds of locations including vacation hot spots here. More Details

Tired of diets that don’t work? Let us show you how you can succeed when it comes to losing that unwanted weight. More Details

Like online video? Then you'll love Now See This.

Links We Like includes a selection of information, tools and resources from our partners and sponsors.

Sponsored Links

Your Credit Report

FreeCreditReport.com Experts recommend checking your credit report regularly. See where your credit stands with a FREE credit report and score!

Diet & Fitness Tools

If you can boil water then you can make a variety of whole grains a part of your diet--it's that easy!  More Details

SparkPeople

Sponsor

Desktop Alert

Desktop Alert
Download FREE Desktop Alert:
- Breaking News
- Severe Weather
Click here to download!

Premium Weather

Premium Weather
How will the weather affect you? Know for sure. Monitor storms, animate your forecast, create personal alerts! Try it now! or Log in here.


Find Local Businesses



© 2008, Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc.
Click here for the privacy policy, terms of use.
Click here for advertising information.
See All Internet Broadcasting Sites

Site Map