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Feds Nab Man in Tampa Bomb Plot

US citizen from Yugoslavia suspected extremist

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 9, 2012 11:55 AM CST

(Newser) – Federal agents have arrested a suspected Islamic extremist who allegedly planned to attack Tampa hotspots. Sami Osmakac, 25, a naturalized US citizen from the former Yugoslavia, allegedly plotted attacks using explosives and an assault rifle, the AP reports. Osmakac was reportedly caught buying weapons from an undercover agent; he's due in court today on a charge of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

A federal complaint says Osmakac "discussed and identified potential targets in Tampa" with a source. That source referred him to an undercover FBI agent to purchase weapons, including an AK-47, Uzi submachine guns, an explosive belt, and grenades. He also planned to use a car bomb and take hostages, the complaint says, noting that he made a video explaining his reasons for the plot. When the source suggested he could change his plans, he reportedly said, "'We all have to die, so why not die the Islamic way?'"

Sami Osmakac, 25, from the former Yugoslavia, has been charged, federal authorities said Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 with an alleged plot to attack crowded locations in the Tampa area.
Sami Osmakac, 25, from the former Yugoslavia, has been charged, federal authorities said Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 with an alleged plot to attack crowded locations in the Tampa area.   (AP Photo/Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
fancygapva
Jan 9, 2012 8:07 PM CST
I know this is going to get me a lot of love here, but the many survivors of the Serb slaughter are quite mentally ill. I worked with a man via Mental Health who could seem to be OK one minute and turn on his parents or his nurse and terrorize them, not recognizing who they were. He was so broken that he couldn't have put together a justification to save his life. He had spent years guerrilla fighting in the mountains trying to save himself and his family. He was older than this young man, probably 50 now, while this young man was a child. I'm certainly not justifying it, but again, we have a man acting alone who is probably mentally ill.
njgreen
Jan 9, 2012 4:10 PM CST
This is what, the 15th Balkan Muslim terrorist to attack or try to attack the US? Remind me, how much blood and treasure did we expend on ending the Serb genocide against them in the 90s? Expect the same kind of gratitude from Libya, soon.
atbov2
Jan 9, 2012 2:24 PM CST
Here we go, suspected American terrorist number one. Could be any of us next.

 
Florida • Islamic extremists • Yugoslavia • arrest • Tampa • domestic terrorism • bomb plot

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