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Home Front: WoT

Southern California terrorism probe yields third arrest

2005-08-17

A Pakistani national has been arrested in an investigation into a possible plot to attack the Israeli Consulate, California National Guard facilities and other Los Angeles-area targets, law enforcement officials said. Hammad Riaz Samana, 21, was taken into custody Aug. 2 and has been detained in Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Federal officials would not say Tuesday what charges he could face. Samana's arrest developed from a terrorism investigation in which authorities found what they believe was a target list after arresting two men on suspicion of a series of gas station robberies in Los Angeles County, according to a law enforcement official who asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the investigation.

That list included three National Guard facilities in the Los Angeles area, the Israeli Consulate and several synagogues. Law enforcement authorities warned the consulate and guard that their buildings were on a list of possible terror targets. Samana's arrest surprised Arshed Quazi, president of the Inglewood mosque Jamat-E-Masijidul Islam, which Samana had attended since arriving in Los Angeles several years ago.

Samana was originally from the Karachi area of Pakistan and was studying at Santa Monica College, said Quazi, who described him as gracious and respectful toward others.

That's what they all say..

"He's such a nice kid ... I'm shocked," said Quazi, who added that Samana stayed with his family across the street from the mosque.

The robbery suspects â Levar Haney Washington, 25, of Los Angeles and Gregory Vernon Patterson, 21 â were arrested July 5. Authorities said they found the list of possible terror targets at Washington's home.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to robbery charges in Torrance Superior Court. It was unclear what led authorities from Washington and Patterson to Samana. Quazi said Washington and Patterson attended the Jamat-E-Masijidul Islam mosque together in the last five months. But he added that he could not recall seeing them associating with Samana.

The "I can't remember" defense. Much safer than saying anything that can be used against you in court.

The FBI questioned him several weeks ago, Quazi said, and asked him to identify photographs of the three men. Cathy Viray, an FBI spokeswoman, declined to comment on the investigation by federal and local agencies because it was ongoing.

"I can say nothing"

Washington has been jailed at California State Prison, Sacramento. That facility has housed members of a prison-based Islamic group known for its militant views, according to law enforcement officials who spoke on the condition they not be identified.

A message left after hours Tuesday for Washington's public defender, Jerome Haig, was not immediately returned. Patterson's attorney, Winston McKesson, said Patterson has no connection to extremist groups.

Samana's lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment.

Two women who answered the door at an apartment listed for Samana across from the mosque, and who identified themselves as his relatives, declined to comment Tuesday night.

Posted by:Steve

#4 "But he added that he could not recall seeing them associating with Samana"

Send him to East LA for an exit interview.

Posted by: Poison Reverse 2005-08-17 18:18

#3 "Some call him....Tim"

Posted by: Frank G 2005-08-17 16:28

#2 Interesting observation Thaviter. Maybe it's Arab only.

Posted by: Shipman 2005-08-17 16:24

#1 But what is his secret muslim code name??

It just looks strange to see "Hammad Riaz Samana" without the "(also known as Mahmood Atalibannanni)" after it.

Or is that something for arabs and north-africans, but not south-west asians?

Posted by: Thaviter Hupavirt2830 2005-08-17 12:58

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