Alleged Ringleader Of Tunnel Plot Reportedly Has A Cdn. Passport
Posted July 8, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
US officials say eight men with links to al-Qaida planned to pulled off the attack this fall. FBI agents scanning websites frequented by extremists uncovered the alleged plot in its early stages.
A Beirut newspaper reported that the man the FBI claims is the ringleader, Assem Hammoud, initially identified as Amir Andalousli, holds a Canadian passport. He was arrested in Lebanon at the end of April on an FBI tip.
“This is a plot that involved martyrdom and explosives,” said FBI Assistant Director Mark Mershon.
But the man’s family denies he has any connection to Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network and his involvement in the alleged plot to flood Manhattan.
“His morale is high because he is confident he is innocent,” Hammoud’s mother Nabila Qotob said. “Don’t make up accusations. My son is innocent. What al-Qaida? He never left his father’s side. He loves life and fun.”
She did confirm that her son studied economics in Canada and has visited his Canadian girlfriend, but said he doesn’t have Canadian passport. There were also reports that Canadian authorities questioned a man in connection to the Manhattan plot, but they had to release him because they didn’t have enough evidence.
Two other suspects are in custody, but American officials won’t say in what country. Five others are still at large.
Officials claim the group wanted to bomb the Holland Tunnel, which runs under the Hudson River into Manhattan, to unleash Katrina-like flooding. The plan likely wouldn’t have worked, authorities say, because New York City is above sea level.
