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CNN Live Today
Several Suspected Terrorists Arrested in Washington
Aired June 27, 2003 - 10:07 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.
HEIDI COLLINS, ANCHOR: We have a developing story out of the Washington area now.
Government sources tell CNN that early morning raids have led to the arrest of at least seven men believed to have terrorist ties. All have been charged as part of the war on terrorism, part of a probe into alleged training for a holy war.
CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena is following the story and joins us by phone from Maryland.
Hi, Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi.
Well, as you said, there are at least seven men who are in custody. And according to government officials, that is for allegedly training for Jihad. Charges against them will include weapons violations and leaving the United States to engage in hostile acts toward a country which is at peace with the United States.
All of these charges are in connection with the U.S. designated terrorist group, Lashkar-E-Taiba, which is a group that is fighting to liberate Kashmir.
This investigation has been ongoing for at least six months, and CNN had previously identified at least 13 individuals who were the target of the FBI's part of this investigation.
All of these men trained under a Muslim scholar here in the Washington area by the name of Ali Al-Timimi. We have tried several times to reach Mr. Tamimi to find out if he is one of the men that was taken into custody but have not been able to reach him. Neither has his lawyer to this point.
CNN had previously spoken to at least two of the other men, one by the name of Ismail Royer, another by the name of Hammad Abdul- Raheem. Mr. Raheem and Mr. Royer both told CNN that they were not guilty of any terrorist related activity or promoting any terrorism related cause.
All of the charges against these men remain under seal at this point, but we do expect to be hearing something public from the U.S. attorney in Virginia, Paul McNulty (ph), perhaps later on this afternoon.
Again, these are charges sort of like those that we've seen before, which are material support of a terrorism cause. And as far as I know, and as far as our sources have told us, there is no evidence of any plot that was underway, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Kelli Arena, we know you'll be following this story as it does develop throughout the day for us. Thanks so much. Justice correspondent Kelli Arena on the phone for us today.
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 June 27, 2003 - 10:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, ANCHOR: We have a developing story out of the Washington area now.
Government sources tell CNN that early morning raids have led to the arrest of at least seven men believed to have terrorist ties. All have been charged as part of the war on terrorism, part of a probe into alleged training for a holy war.
CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena is following the story and joins us by phone from Maryland.
Hi, Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi.
Well, as you said, there are at least seven men who are in custody. And according to government officials, that is for allegedly training for Jihad. Charges against them will include weapons violations and leaving the United States to engage in hostile acts toward a country which is at peace with the United States.
All of these charges are in connection with the U.S. designated terrorist group, Lashkar-E-Taiba, which is a group that is fighting to liberate Kashmir.
This investigation has been ongoing for at least six months, and CNN had previously identified at least 13 individuals who were the target of the FBI's part of this investigation.
All of these men trained under a Muslim scholar here in the Washington area by the name of Ali Al-Timimi. We have tried several times to reach Mr. Tamimi to find out if he is one of the men that was taken into custody but have not been able to reach him. Neither has his lawyer to this point.
CNN had previously spoken to at least two of the other men, one by the name of Ismail Royer, another by the name of Hammad Abdul- Raheem. Mr. Raheem and Mr. Royer both told CNN that they were not guilty of any terrorist related activity or promoting any terrorism related cause.
All of the charges against these men remain under seal at this point, but we do expect to be hearing something public from the U.S. attorney in Virginia, Paul McNulty (ph), perhaps later on this afternoon.
Again, these are charges sort of like those that we've seen before, which are material support of a terrorism cause. And as far as I know, and as far as our sources have told us, there is no evidence of any plot that was underway, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Kelli Arena, we know you'll be following this story as it does develop throughout the day for us. Thanks so much. Justice correspondent Kelli Arena on the phone for us today.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
