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Imam Snared in Terror Plot Admits He Lied to the FBI | ||||
2010-03-05 | ||||
Follow-up with some details. A Queens imam who became entangled in a terrorism plot against New York City when he warned one of the planners that he was under government surveillance pleaded guilty on Thursday to a reduced charge of lying to federal officials. Fighting through tears, the imam, Ahmad Wais Afzali, spoke of failing his adopted country, a country his conviction will soon require him to leave, maintaining that he had no idea of the seriousness of the case when he told Najibullah Zazi in phone conversations that law enforcement officials were investigating him. Mr. Afzali, who had been approached by the New York Police Department to provide information on Mr. Zazi, said he was afraid when Federal Bureau of Investigation agents interrogated him two days later -- so he lied about the conversation with Mr. Zazi, even though he knew it had been recorded. Brilliant. "My intention was not to protect Zazi but to protect myself," he said during a hearing on Thursday in United States District Court in Brooklyn. "In doing so, I failed to live up to my obligation to this country, my community, my family and my religion. I am truly sorry." You're sorry. Great. Thanks. Now scram.
Under the agreement reached with prosecutors, Mr. Afzali pleaded guilty to one count of lying to the F.B.I., but the reduced charge did not specify that the lie occurred in the course of a terrorism investigation. As a result, Mr. Afzali faces up to six months in prison rather than up to eight years when he is sentenced in April. The government has agreed not to request any time in jail, said Ronald L. Kuby, a lawyer for Mr. Afzali. After sentencing, Mr. Afzali will have up to 90 days to leave the country voluntarily, or he will be deported. Outside the courtroom, Mr. Afzali appeared distraught about leaving the country he has called home since he left Afghanistan as a young boy. His wife and two children from a previous marriage all hold United States citizenship. He said he did not know where he would go. "My whole tribe is here," Mr. Afzali said. To return to Afghanistan, he offered, would be to "sign my death sentence." Not our problem. Next time don't lie to the FBI.
After pleading guilty, he read aloud from a prepared statement, in which he described his past work as a liaison between the New York Police Department and the local Muslim community. "I have always assisted the police, whenever they have asked," he said. "I did so because I love this country and I love my community." That involvement took a turn when the police asked him for information about Mr. Zazi and Mr. Medunjanin, who used to attend his mosque in Queens. "The police interest in these men led me to believe that they were involved in some criminal activity, but I had no idea of its seriousness," he said. "I had known them when they were boys and did not think they were capable of serious crime. I thought perhaps they had fallen in with the wrong people or gotten caught up in something."
Two days later, Mr. Afzali was interrogated by F.B.I agents about the conversation. He denied telling Mr. Zazi that law enforcement officials were interested in him. "I lied and said I did not," Mr. Afzali recounted, breaking into sobs. "My intention was not to protect Zazi but to protect myself."
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Posted by:Steve White |
#5 lying sack of sh_t, everyword a lie you can be sure |
Posted by: 746 2010-03-05 15:57 |
#4 I don't believe a word he says. |
Posted by: gorb 2010-03-05 14:35 |
#3 and of course, that dirtbag Ron Kuby represented him |
Posted by: Frank G 2010-03-05 12:20 |
#2 Martha Stewart got five months in the Greybar Hotel for that one. |
Posted by: Black Bart Ebberens7700 2010-03-05 06:53 |
#1 Wow, I almost feel sorry for the guy. |
Posted by: Dave UK 2010-03-05 05:52 |