Washington:
A member of Al Qaeda who allegedly met with Osama bin Laden in 2001 has been extradited to the United States to face charges that he conspired to carry out a suicide bomb attack against Americans in Europe.
Nizar Trabelsi, a Tunisian national, was arrested in Belgium on September 13, 2001, two days after the September 11 attacks in the US.
He has spent the past 12 years in custody in Belgium, where he served time on Belgian charges.
A federal indictment unsealed today says Trabelsi met in the spring of 2001 with bin Laden to volunteer for a suicide bomb attack against US interests.
Trabelsi allegedly obtained chemicals in Europe and joined others to scout a potential target, a military facility that was used by the US government and Air Force.
The indictment states that at Osama's direction, Trabelsi later spoke with Muhammed Atef, a high-ranking member and chief military planner of Al Qaeda. Trabelsi also met with others with whom he was to form a cell to carry out a suicide attack.
In June 2001, the indictment states, Trabelsi traveled to Pakistan, where he obtained money from an Al Qaeda associate for use in carrying out his mission.
Trabelsi, 43, is accused of conspiring to kill US nationals outside of the US; attempting to use weapons of mass destruction; conspiring and providing to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted of the charges filed in the indictment, Trabelsi faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Trabelsi will face charges in US District Court in the District of Columbia.
Nizar Trabelsi, a Tunisian national, was arrested in Belgium on September 13, 2001, two days after the September 11 attacks in the US.
He has spent the past 12 years in custody in Belgium, where he served time on Belgian charges.
A federal indictment unsealed today says Trabelsi met in the spring of 2001 with bin Laden to volunteer for a suicide bomb attack against US interests.
Trabelsi allegedly obtained chemicals in Europe and joined others to scout a potential target, a military facility that was used by the US government and Air Force.
The indictment states that at Osama's direction, Trabelsi later spoke with Muhammed Atef, a high-ranking member and chief military planner of Al Qaeda. Trabelsi also met with others with whom he was to form a cell to carry out a suicide attack.
In June 2001, the indictment states, Trabelsi traveled to Pakistan, where he obtained money from an Al Qaeda associate for use in carrying out his mission.
Trabelsi, 43, is accused of conspiring to kill US nationals outside of the US; attempting to use weapons of mass destruction; conspiring and providing to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted of the charges filed in the indictment, Trabelsi faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Trabelsi will face charges in US District Court in the District of Columbia.
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