NEW YORK: Osama bin Laden’s son-in-law, Suleiman Abu Ghaith, is set to face charges of trying to kill US nationals in a federal court in New York on Friday.
The 47-year-old Abu Ghaith, considered among the highest-ranking al Qaeda figures, was captured in Turkey and brought to New York City to face a civilian trial, US government sources said.
“Among other things, Abu Ghaith urged others to swear allegiance to bin Laden, spoke on behalf of and in support of al Qaeda’s mission, and warned that attacks similar to those of September 11, 2001 would continue,” according to the indictment, which was announced on Thursday.
The indictment accuses him of acting in a conspiracy that “would and did murder United States nationals anywhere in the world,” listing actions before and after September 11, 2001.
“No amount of distance or time will weaken our resolve to bring America’s enemies to justice,” US Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement on Thursday.
“To violent extremists who threaten the American people and seek to undermine our way of life, this arrest sends an unmistakable message: There is no corner of the world where you can escape from justice because we will do everything in our power to hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Initially, Abu Ghaith was arrested in Turkey, deported to Jordan and brought to the US in the last few days in an operation led by Jordanian authorities and the FBI, the sources said.
DND
