Realterror

News Articles

Shah to be jailed until federal weapons trial, judge rules

11-27-06 “Mr. Shah spoke of the benefits of jihad and martyrdom,” McKinley said. “He provided a lecture he described as ‘pretty radical,’ and it dealt with jihad.” McKinley said photos show Shah dressed in camouflage and holding an AR-15 rifle and Remington 870 shotgun. He was also photographed at the campground with Williams and Mirza.” (Click to View)

UTD sophomore faces federal gun charges following FBI arrest in WP (Whyislam connection)

11-27-06 “He said Shah also knows the other two men because they volunteered together to feed the homeless through WhyIslam, a New Jersey-based Muslim organization. ” (Click to view)

Local men accused of conspiring to help terrorists

11-28-06 “Both men are accused of training with firearms so they could go to the Middle East to fight with the Taliban against coalition forces.in the Middle East. They’re also charged with providing cash to support terrorist groups.” (Raw video clip linked) (Click to view)

U.S. Citizen Wanted to Join the Taliban

11-28-06 “The two allegedly sought firearms training in the Houston area on at least eight occasions between May 2005 and June 2006. Mirza was in possession of an Armalite M15A4 rifle, a .308 rifle and a 12-gage shotgun, the indictment states. Since he had entered the U.S. in August 2001 on a student visa that expired on Dec. 12, 2005, Mirza, under U.S. law, was prohibited from possessing any firearms. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the men were also in possession of a Glock pistol and other weapons.” (Click to View)

Kobie Diallo Willaims and Adnan Babar Mirza arrested for plot

11-28-06 “Williams’ attorney, Alamdar S. Hamdani, said Williams chose not to fight the charges.

“He made a grave mistake,” said Hamdani. “And he has come forward to own up to that.”

Williams and Mirza are being held without bond. Williams faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. Mirza’s maximum sentence would be 35 years in prison.” (Click to view)

Man Pleads Guilty in Plan to Aid Taliban

11-28-06 “HOUSTON (AP) — A Houston man pleaded guilty after he and a Pakistani living illegally in the United States were charged with conspiring to join the Taliban and fight against U.S. forces, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.” (Click to view)

Houston Man Pleads Guilty to Plotting to Join the Taliban (Treason?)

11-28-06 “‘He made a grave mistake,’ said Hamdani. ‘And he has come forward to own up to that.’

Williams and Mirza are being held without bond. Williams faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. Mirza’s maximum sentence would be 35 years in prison.” (Click to view)

Houston man admits trying to help Taliban

11-28-06 “To prepare as a fighter, Williams said he used various firearms at shooting ranges and campgrounds in Harris, Walker and Montgomery counties including at Sam Houston National Forest.” (Click to view)

Justice Department Press Release

11-29-06 “An indictment has been brought against a U.S. citizen and a Pakistani in the country on an expired student visa for planning to aid the Taliban” (Click to view)

Houston pair accused of aiding Taliban

11-29-06 “‘Just because you have a beard and you like to go hunting,’ he said, ‘doesn’t mean that you are a terrorist.’” (Click to view)

Two in Texas charged with planning to join the Taliban

11-29-06 “the pair got training in guns and reconnaissance, and were getting ready to carry out attacks on coalition troops in the Mideast. The indictment says the suspects view the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan as “invaders.”” (Click to view)

Senator Cornyn chimes in on immigration laws

11-29-06 “Beverly would not get into specifics, but Senator John Cornyn was quick to point out to us that Mirza was here illegally.

“Whether you provided aid to the Taliban or simply overstayed your visa, we ought to be enforcing our immigration laws,” said Sen. Cornyn.” (Click to view)

“He liked puppies, and sunshine, and lillipops”

11-29-06 “Masjid el-Farouq mosque… Masjid el-Farouq… where have we heard that name before? Oh yeah–the Freedom House report on Wahabbist hate-ideology in American mosques (pdf, 95 pages)…Wahhabi writings emphasize the obligatory nature of the purification that jihad produces, whether it be in overcoming external enemies, or perfecting the inner self. To Be a Muslim [Document No. 31], published by Saudi Arabia’s International Islamic Publishing House and gathered from the Al-Farouq Mosque in Houston, Texas…” (Click to View)

Who was Kobie Diallo Williams according to his neighbor?

11-30-06 “When I asked him what he thought about 9/11 and reminded him that the war in Afghanistan was a result of it he responded in a way that it was clear that he had some amount of sympathies for the Taliban.” (Click to view)

Prosecutors: Two College Students Linked to Taliban Suspects

11-30-06 “Prosecutors said the two Pakistani natives are also connected to two men charged with having ties to the Taliban.” (Click to view)

FBI Arrests UT Dallas Student On Gun Charge

11-30-06 “Shah’s arrest stems from the indictment of two Houston college students who are accused in a federal indictment of aiding the Taliban. On Tuesday FBI agents there arrested 33-year old U.S. citizen Kobie Williams, also known as Abdul Kabeer or Abdul Kabir, and 29-year old Adnan Mirza, who is a Pakistani National reared in Kuwait.” (Click to view)

Taliban case suspect here legally: HCC

11-30-06 “Rodwan Saleh, president of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, said although he has not yet fully gauged how the Muslim community here feels about the incident, he believes most people are surprised by it.

He said he would urge Muslims to report any suspicious activity they come across, but also said they should not deny their faith.” (Click to view)

Lawyer denies Taliban links

12-01-06 “Assistant U.S Attorney Glenn Cook said the trio and a Dallas man charged this week were “related cases out of the same investigation,” (Click to view)

UTD Student Still In Jail, Awaits Houston Transfer

12-01-06 “Federal prosecutors allege all three engaged in paramilitary rifle training with other Muslim students at the campground in Willis and bragged about joining the Taliban to fight against U.S. forces.” (Click to view)

Syed Maaz Shah linked to Kobie Diallo Williams and Adnan Babar Mirza training camp.

 

12-02-06 “DALLAS — A 19-year-old University of Texas at Dallas student has been linked by authorities to two Houston men accused of wanting to fight for the Taliban.” (Click to view)

Do you want to see the passport of a terrorist? – by Maaz Shah

12-02-06 ““The group had a discussion where they considered themselves to be mujahedeen, and they planned to travel to Pakistan and to fight U.S. forces there,” the agent said in court.” (Click to view)

FBI agent describes group’s jihad plot

12-02-06 “During the hearing, McKinley testified the property at Willis — a Montgomery County city on the opposite side of Interstate 45 from Lake Conroe — is owned by the Islamic Society of Greater Houston. (Click to view)

Alamdar Hamdani and Iesa Galloway: Dealing with the FBI

12-04-06 “Next thing that Alamdar mentioned was that the FBI in Houston has been very respectful and has dealt with the muslims with honor and dignity. And when this brother (Alamdar) says this, then it means a lot because he himself has probably dealt with more FBI agents than many other lawyers in the US, he probably has dealt with the most FBI agents than any other lawyer in Texas. He mentioned that the FBI in Houston has dealt with them in a very respectful manner and he hasn’t seen any transgressive behavior from them.” (Click to View)

Students as Taliban helpers?

12-05-06 “In a statement on the first two arrests, federal officials described a series of meetings in which the Houston men trained with weapons and studied reconnaissance together on trips in the countryside.” (Click to view)

Man accused in Taliban arrest ordered held without bail

12-07-06 “A prosecutor said today that Qazi was privy to discussions about the use of force against U.S. and coalition forces, but did not notify authorities.” (Click to view)

Pakistani student at HCC charged in Taliban plot

12-08-06 “On Thursday, Hicks showed King four photographs. Two show Qazi holding an AR-15 rifle, one shows Qazi and Williams together and the fourth photo shows two targets with bullet holes, King testified.” (Click to view)

3rd Taliban suspect denied bail

12-08-06 “Federal prosecutors said Qazi failed to let anyone know about possible terrorist plans he was privy to and argued that Qazi would be a flight risk if bail was granted. Authorities said he’s being held in solitary confinement.” (Click to view)

The “nice guy” terror threat

12-09-06 “Students at Rice University described William’s as a very nice guy–always willing to help. It was said that Mr. Williams wouldn’t hurt a fly. One student wouldn’t even believe the charges, even though William’s has already pleaded guilty… According to the indictment, William’s is very different from what his friends and acquaintances believed or want to accept post indictment and plea… The guy whom some thought was harmless, had plans to travel to the Middle East and kill American troops. William’s had already engaged in weapons training and given money to the Taliban.” (Click here)

 

Pakistani Student Convicted of Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

01-31-07 “(Houston) Shiraz Syed Qazi, 29, a Pakistani national in the United States on a student visa, has been convicted of unlawfully possessing a firearm” (Click to view)

Pakistani found guilty of gun charge

01-31-07 “Shiraz Syed Qazi, 26, seen here in November 2006, and three others arrested last year are accused of material support of terrorism by training to fight with the Taliban against U.S.-led forces.” (Click to view)

Taliban suspect sentenced to 10 months

05-17-07 “The charge stemmed from a 2005 camping trip outside Houston that Qazi made with three other men. Authorities said the trip was part of paramilitary training the four men, all Muslims, were going through.” (Click to view)

Pakistani tied to terror plot gets 10 months on gun charge

05-17-07 ““This defendant was (shooting) weapons with people who were intent on engaging in Jihad against the United States,” said federal prosecutor Shelley Hicks.” (Click to view)

Student Jailed on Gun Charge

05-18-07

“Authorities said the trip was part of paramilitary training for the four men. Two of the men, Adnan Babar Mirza and Kobie Diallo Williams, were charged with conspiracy to join the Taliban… Williams, 33, a US citizen, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and will be sentenced on Ocotber 12. He faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 (Dh917,500) fine.” (Click to view)

Prosecutors say gun charges related to terror plot

05-21-07 “Hicks said an undercover officer named Malik Mohamed infiltrated the group of men and recorded their conversations…. Shah “talks about being ready to go to jihad. He talks about needing a wife to support that because he might go at anytime,” Hicks said… Mohamed, whose role was to train the men, said the group was always looking for individuals who also wanted to take part in a jihad and that Shah was such a person. (Click to view)

FBI agent details alleged Taliban aspirant probe

05-21-07 “The trial of Syed Maaz Shah, who is linked to a Houston-based Taliban conspiracy, opened Monday in federal court with FBI Special Agent John McKinley as the government’s first witness.” (Click to view)

Pakistani student convicted on gun charges

05-24-07 “Authorities said the trips were actually training camps organized by several men who wanted to engage in holy war against U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries.” (Click to View)

Student found guilty in Houston Taliban case

05-24-07 “A 12-member jury found that Shah, 19, unlawfully possessed a firearm while in the country on a student visa. He was charged in connection with a terrorist plot to aid the Taliban.” (Click to View)

Pakistani student convicted on gun charges – Detailed Article

05-24-07 “The undercover officer, Malik Mohamed, testified during the three-day trial that Shah expressed an interest in taking part in a jihad. Officials said the FBI found extremist literature on Shah’s computer.” (Click to View)

Dallas student found guilty in Taliban scheme

05-24-07 “an undercover operation is a perfectly legal technique to ferret out criminal activity. She said the sting only gave a “ready and willing” Shah the opportunity to commit crimes…The jury returned its verdict after deliberating for slightly more than an hour…” (Click to View)

Jury convicts Pakistani Student for Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

05-30-07 “In finding the defendant guilty, the jury rejected Shah’s claim that undercover officials working with the Houston Joint Terrorism Task Force impermissibly entrapped Shah…Shah orally confessed that he had an interest in weapons and had engaged in the firearms training weekends to prepare for “what may come.” Shah went on to state that he viewed American forces in Iraq as “invaders” and felt it was his duty to prepare for “Jihad,” described during the trial as armed combat.” (Click to View)

Houston Taliban suspect’s trial may be delayed

08-10-07 “Hicks said the government may file a new indictment against Mirza in the next few weeks. She said her superiors in Washington, D.C. must approve the action, which she said could take up to three weeks.” (Click to View)

Shah given 6 1/2 years in prison

09-14-07 “The former Dallas college student whose camping trips near Houston led to a federal terrorism investigation continued to dispute the case against him Friday before a federal judge sentenced him to 6 1/2 years in prison.” (Click to view)

Pakistani student sentenced for firearms violations

09-17-07 “The judge gave him a harsh sentence, since the sentencing guide lines are from 21 to 27 months. He will most likely be deported after his prison sentence is complete… The jury rejected his claim that he was entrapped by undercover officers with the Houston Joint Terrorism Task Force. The government countered with the argument that he was not entrapped but he was predisposed to commit the firearms violations. To prove the fact, they presented evidence to the effect that at the time of his arrest, Shah gave an oral confession to the effect that he had an interest in weapons and had taken training for “what may come.” He went on to further state that he viewed the American forces in Iraq as invaders. He also said he thought it was his duty to prepare for Jihad. Evidence was also presented showing that he had literature about Jihad on his computer, which was seized by the FBI at the time of his arrest.” (Click to view)

Student faces more charges in ‘battlefield jihad’ case

10-19-07 “The new 13-count indictment names Mirza alone and more completely outlines the allegations against him.” (Click to view)

Federal appeals panel upholds Muslim student’s conviction

02-08-08  “A three-judge federal appeals panel this week upheld a Muslim student’s conviction last year on a weapons charge linked to a Houston-based plan to aid the Taliban…. FBI agents used Qazi’s admission that “he overheard statements over that weekend” to connect him to the plot.”  (Click to View)

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Justice Department Press Releases

11/28/06 USDOJ1 – Two charged to aid taliban

1/31/07 USDOJ2 – Pakistani Student Convicted of Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

5/24/07 USDOJ3 – Jury convictes Pakistani Student for Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

09/14/07 USDOJ4 – Pakistani student sentenced for unlawfully possessing firearm

 

 

More to come….