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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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7

NYPD Yanks Top Cop From Terror Unit

Official replaced after unit's imam informant tipped off suspect

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(Newser) – A top official from one of the NYPD's two counterterror units has been replaced after his unit disrupted a federal terror probe by inadvertently alerting the prime suspect to the investigation. Paul Ciorra of the Intelligence Division—which sometimes competes with the city's Counterterrorism Bureau and clashes with federal partners—has been shifted to another job and a Counterterrorism Bureau official installed in his place, the New York Times reports.

Intelligence Division detectives sought assistance two weeks from an imam in Queens who is believed to have then tipped off suspected terror ringleader Najibullah Zazi, forcing federal investigators to move in sooner than they had planned. The decision to speak to the imam was made at the highest level and there's no indication Ciorra did anything wrong, according to a former official close to the investigation.

NYPD officers muster along Park Avenue before deploying to various security posts throughout the area earlier this week.
NYPD officers muster along Park Avenue before deploying to various security posts throughout the area earlier this week.   (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Najibullah Zazi arrives at the offices of the FBI in Denver for questioning last week.
Najibullah Zazi arrives at the offices of the FBI in Denver for questioning last week.   (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
NYPD officers set up a mobile street barrier and patrol outside the United Nations as world leaders meet for the UN Leadership Forum on Climate Change earlier this week.
NYPD officers set up a mobile street barrier and patrol outside the United Nations as world leaders meet for the UN Leadership Forum on Climate Change earlier this week.   (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
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7 comments
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Mia
Sep 24, 09 6:43 AM CDT
******cough****pissing contest****cough*** Reply
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
dontlikeyou
Sep 24, 09 7:01 AM CDT
Muslim's first loyalty is to fellow believers. Haven't we learned this by now?
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-2
IN RESPONSE:
myvoice
Sep 24, 09 7:53 AM CDT
yeah keep generalizing you ignorant fool!! have you met all Muslims?
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0
jamerican
Sep 24, 09 8:53 AM CDT
You can't trust the infidels...their religious leaders do little to discourage terrorism making you think they are all in this together. Reply
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-4
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Sep 24, 09 8:57 AM CDT
Are you talking about Americans and non-Muslims? Because I have never.....ever....heard actual Americans call anyone infidels.
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