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US Man Charged in Afghanistan Rocket Attack

Long Islander also gave al-Qaeda info on NYC mass transit: feds

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2009 1:48 PM CDT
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(Newser) – An American arrested in Pakistan last fall faces charges for firing rockets at a US military base in Afghanistan, the New York Times reports. Bryant Neal Vinas, 26, also allegedly gave al-Qaeda detailed information about the New York City transit system and Long Island Railroad in return for military training.

Vinas’ November arrest coincided with federal warnings of a possible attack on New York mass transit. The former Long Island resident, a convert to Islam, is said to be a key witness in two terrorism cases in Europe, including one against a Moroccan woman, Malika El Aroud, who allegedly used the Internet to find recruits for al-Qaeda in Pakistan.

This July 3, 2009, photo shows Josh Habib, left, a 53-year-old translator, standing next to a fellow Marine as they patrol inside a village in Afghanistan's Helmand province.
This July 3, 2009, photo shows Josh Habib, left, a 53-year-old translator, standing next to a fellow Marine as they patrol inside a village in Afghanistan's Helmand province.   (AP Photo)
In this undated image taken by al-Qaeda's al-Sahab media wing, Mullah Dadullah gets ready to fire a rocket-propelled grenade in an undisclosed area of Afghanistan.
In this undated image taken by al-Qaeda's al-Sahab media wing, Mullah Dadullah gets ready to fire a rocket-propelled grenade in an undisclosed area of Afghanistan.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
stacysaw
Jul 23, 2009 11:22 AM CDT
yeah, lindh is an in-over-his-head kid. he killed no one, shared no information that could've caused harm to anyone. this vinas dude, however, should be punished mightily, but my point is that he won't be. he is perceived as useful to the fbi, therefore they'll hang on to him and won't punish him properly. lindh, on the other hand, is of no use to them at all - never was, never will be. they keep him locked up only for show in the "war on terror."
Shannonals
Jul 23, 2009 6:06 AM CDT
@Stacysaw. Your calling this traitor to his country an, "in-over-his-head suburban kid"? Don't make excuses for him, this was a man that joined our Armed forces and choose to betray his country.
Shannonals
Jul 23, 2009 6:04 AM CDT
not quite sure why CK was flagged this time, he asked a valid point about whether or not this man has been charged for treason. To answer his question, he pleaded guilty in January to conspiring to murder United States nationals, they won't charge him for treason because he plea bargined for information he had on al-Qaeda. I think it is a great disservice to our Armed forces that he hasn't been charged for treason, regardless of how much infomrationhe has given the government.

 
Afghanistan • Pakistan • New York City • rocket attacks • recruiting • citizen • Long Island Railroad • mass transit • Bryant Neal Vinas

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