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CNN Live Today
Terror Investigation Continues in Buffalo
Aired September 17, 2002 - 12:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS: Authorities are searching for two more suspects in connection with the terror investigation in upstate New York. Two men have been named as indicted co-conspirators. And tomorrow, there will be a hearing for the six men already in custody, accused of supporting al Qaeda.
For the latest, we go to CNN's Jeff Flock. He's in Buffalo, New York.
Hi, Jeff.
JEFF FLOCK, CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.
Don't want to confuse you, but we do have a few more names for you. Sometimes they all begin to run together here. The two are the men still at large that you refer to and presumably not in U.S., but overseas in presumably Yemen.
The two names: Jabar (ph) Albana (ph) and Kamal Derwish. Of the two and in fact of all eight, the biggest fish is Derwish. Let's give you a look at what we know about him, based on both a review of court documents as well as interviews with law enforcement officials.
Derwish, believed to be 29 years old, born in this country, and described by law enforcement as a central figure in al Qaeda and a recruiter. Recruiter in what way? Was it for a cell in here in Buffalo? Or for training overseas? At this point, it seems clear based on evidence that they have determined, a recruiter for people going overseas for terror training there. He in fact arranged travel, based on court documents, and himself was in a more advanced terror training camp than some of the other people that apparently he brought over there, as well as knowing some of the trainers personally. So Derwish is their prime focus right now. Again, he is believed to be in Yemen.
As to the people he recruited, perhaps we can show you the pictures of the six. Once again, they range from Moktar (ph) al- Bakri, the man who made his first court appearance yesterday, a man who apparently sent an e-mail that law enforcement now believes was specific reference to specific terrorist activity overseas. He is one of them. The man on the right of your screen on the top, Sahim Alwan, perhaps represents the other side of the spectrum, a man who went over, his family told us, allegedly for four months overseas. Spent about a month there and only a week or two, according to court document, in any kind of terrorism training camp. Apparently got homesick, loved his native America and wanted to come home. So, what else law enforcement may have about these men, should come clean a little bit tomorrow when they have a bond hearing, at least for the six. Because if the government wants to keep them in custody, either have bond denied or have the bond set sufficiently high to keep them in custody. They are probably going to have to come out with more in terms of detail. So tomorrow will be an important day.
That's the latest, Kyra. Back to you.
PHILLIPS: Jeff Flock in Buffalo. Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 17, 2002 - 12:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS: Authorities are searching for two more suspects in connection with the terror investigation in upstate New York. Two men have been named as indicted co-conspirators. And tomorrow, there will be a hearing for the six men already in custody, accused of supporting al Qaeda.
For the latest, we go to CNN's Jeff Flock. He's in Buffalo, New York.
Hi, Jeff.
JEFF FLOCK, CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.
Don't want to confuse you, but we do have a few more names for you. Sometimes they all begin to run together here. The two are the men still at large that you refer to and presumably not in U.S., but overseas in presumably Yemen.
The two names: Jabar (ph) Albana (ph) and Kamal Derwish. Of the two and in fact of all eight, the biggest fish is Derwish. Let's give you a look at what we know about him, based on both a review of court documents as well as interviews with law enforcement officials.
Derwish, believed to be 29 years old, born in this country, and described by law enforcement as a central figure in al Qaeda and a recruiter. Recruiter in what way? Was it for a cell in here in Buffalo? Or for training overseas? At this point, it seems clear based on evidence that they have determined, a recruiter for people going overseas for terror training there. He in fact arranged travel, based on court documents, and himself was in a more advanced terror training camp than some of the other people that apparently he brought over there, as well as knowing some of the trainers personally. So Derwish is their prime focus right now. Again, he is believed to be in Yemen.
As to the people he recruited, perhaps we can show you the pictures of the six. Once again, they range from Moktar (ph) al- Bakri, the man who made his first court appearance yesterday, a man who apparently sent an e-mail that law enforcement now believes was specific reference to specific terrorist activity overseas. He is one of them. The man on the right of your screen on the top, Sahim Alwan, perhaps represents the other side of the spectrum, a man who went over, his family told us, allegedly for four months overseas. Spent about a month there and only a week or two, according to court document, in any kind of terrorism training camp. Apparently got homesick, loved his native America and wanted to come home. So, what else law enforcement may have about these men, should come clean a little bit tomorrow when they have a bond hearing, at least for the six. Because if the government wants to keep them in custody, either have bond denied or have the bond set sufficiently high to keep them in custody. They are probably going to have to come out with more in terms of detail. So tomorrow will be an important day.
That's the latest, Kyra. Back to you.
PHILLIPS: Jeff Flock in Buffalo. Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
