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Terror Suspect Zazi Had Senior al-Qaeda Contacts

CIA tipped FBI, other domestic agencies after catching a whiff

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 5, 2009 8:40 PM CDT
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(AP) – An Afghan immigrant accused of plotting a terrorist attack in New York after receiving training in Pakistan was in contact with a senior al-Qaeda operative, intelligence officials familiar with the investigation say. The CIA learned about Najibullah Zazi through one of its sources and alerted domestic agencies, including the FBI.

The fact that intelligence officials learned of Zazi through a CIA source sheds more light on the government's claim that the charges against Zazi are part of a broader, international case and begins to explain why the investigation triggered such a large offensive from the nation's intelligence community. It also shows the case stems from the CIA's counterterrorism efforts to track al-Qaeda and not an investigation initiated in the US by someone's suspicious actions, like most other domestic terrorism cases handled by the FBI.

Najibullah Zazi is escorted off an NYPD helicopter by US Marshals after being extradited from Denver, Colo., Sept. 25, 2009.
Najibullah Zazi is escorted off an NYPD helicopter by US Marshals after being extradited from Denver, Colo., Sept. 25, 2009.   (New York City Police Department)
Najibullah Zazi.
Najibullah Zazi.   (AP Photo)
A courtroom sketch of suspected al-Qaeda terrorist Najibullah Zazi.
A courtroom sketch of suspected al-Qaeda terrorist Najibullah Zazi.   (AP Photo)
Najibullah Zazi leaves his apartment in Aurora, Colo., for a meeting with his attorney Sept. 17, 2009.
Najibullah Zazi leaves his apartment in Aurora, Colo., for a meeting with his attorney Sept. 17, 2009.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
SilenceDogood
Oct 6, 2009 11:58 AM CDT
If this is true, and I wholeheartedly believe terrorist are active and organized in America; why did Obama declare the war on terror is over?
riffran
Oct 6, 2009 9:52 AM CDT
I am just happy we are not reading "Bomb set by sleeper cell in Times Square kills........"..or something like that or like this creep..."WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A 19-year-old Jordanian bent on committing "violent jihad" was arrested Thursday after undercover FBI agents foiled his attempt to bomb an office tower in Dallas, Texas, authorities announced late Thursday."....They even sold him a fake bomb and detonator in a sting......this guy and zuzu both need to go away...like forever
alkaseltzersammich
Oct 6, 2009 2:45 AM CDT
I agree with whatever point you're trying to make. I'm tired to read the whole thing.

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CIA • FBI • New York City • terror plots • al-Qaeda • Islamic terrorism • Najibullah Zazi

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