Terrorism On Trial: Alleged Al Qaeda Operative Indicted In US Court

A U.S. district court in New York unsealed on Wednesday the indictment of an alleged al Qaeda operative who was charged last month, paving the way for a trial.

The defendant, Ibrahim Suleiman Adnan Adam Harun, alias “Spin Ghul,” was charged on six counts, including “conspiracy to murder American military personnel in Afghanistan, conspiracy to bomb American diplomatic facilities in Nigeria, conspiracy to provide material support to al Qaeda, providing material support to al Qaeda, and related firearms and explosives counts,” according to the release.

The indictment alleges that Harun, a Niger citizen born in Saudi Arabia, first traveled to Afghanistan in 2001, shortly before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He was then recruited and trained by al Qaeda and fought against U.S. and coalition forces between 2002 and 2003.

The court documents say that Harun then traveled to Pakistan in 2003 and was instructed to carry out further activities in Nigeria.

In 2005, Harun was arrested in Libya while en route to Europe and was held in custody until June 2011, in the midst of the revolution there. After his release, Harun was arrested aboard a Libyan refugee ship bound for Italy after he assaulted Italian officers who had intercepted the vessel.

On Oct. 4, 2012, Harun was extradited to the United States, where he remains in custody. A public status conference on the case is scheduled for Friday.

“Vowing allegiance to al Qaeda and training to commit violent jihad are not the worst of Harun’s alleged crimes,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos said in a statement. “The allegations include actually attacking U.S troops and plotting to use explosives to kill U.S. diplomats.”

“As alleged, Harun not only intended to but did commit acts of terrorism against Americans,” he added. “Now he is subject to the American justice system. We remain committed to protecting the safety of Americans and our national security.”