Two held in US for alleged plot to attack recruiting centre in Seattle

Pair, who had been under surveillance since someone they tried to recruit alerted FBI, charged with conspiracy to murder Two men have been arrested for allegedly plotting to attack a military recruiting centre in Seattle with machine guns and grenades, the US justice department has said. Abu Khalid Abdul-Latif, also known as Joseph Anthony Davis, 33, of Seattle, and Walli Mujahidh, 32, also known as Frederick Domingue Jr, of Los Angeles, are charged with conspiracy to murder. They had been under surveillance since someone they tried to recruit alerted the FBI, according to an affidavit. The accused were apparently recorded on video discussing their plan. Law enforcement agents then intercepted Abdul-Latif and Mujahidh’s arms transactions and rendered their weapons inoperable. The defendants had initially planned an attack on Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State, but later changed targets. The cooperating individual was told that the attack was planned in retaliation for alleged crimes by US soldiers in Afghanistan, according to an FBI affidavit filed on Thursday. The affidavit said: “Abdul-Latif explained that, in his view, murdering American soldiers was justifiable.” US attorney Jenny Durkan said: “The complaint alleges these men intended to carry out a deadly attack against our military where they should be most safe, here at home.” Todd Hinnen, acting assistant attorney general for national security, said the two men were “driven by a violent, extreme ideology” which had led them to plot the murder of those enlisting in the US armed forces. He added: “This is one of a number of recent plots targeting our military here at home.” Abdul-Latif and Mujahidh are charged with conspiracy to murder officers and employees of the United States, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, and possession of firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence. Abdul-Latif is also charged with two counts of illegal possession of firearms. Durkan said: “This is a sobering reminder of our need to be vigilant and that our first line of defence is the people who live in our community. We were able to disrupt the plot because someone stepped forward and reported it to authorities.” If convicted, the two could face up to life in prison. FBI United States Dominic Rushe guardian.co.uk

Posted by on June 23, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.