Friday, 23 June 2006
Seven charged with plot to bomb the Sears Tower
"We are as safe as we have ever been, and as safe as any city can be," Chicago's Mayor Daley today.
Five suspects in an alleged plot to bomb the tallest building in the US, Chicago's Sears Tower, and other buildings appeared before a federal judge in Miami today. Another defendant was scheduled to make a court appearance in Atlanta and it was not clear when the seventh suspect would appear in court.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said "the efforts of 'homegrown terrorists' who reached out to an informant posing as an Al Qaeda leader represent a new twist in the war on terror." Five of the defendants are U.S. citizens, one is a legal permanent resident and one is an illegal alien.
The planning was in its earliest stages, according to Gonzales, and neither the indictment nor comments by authorities in Washington and Miami offered any information to indicate that the men had actually acquired explosives or weapons or taken other practical steps to mount attacks. Gonzales said "the charges reflect a desire by the Justice Department to nip possible attacks in the bud, before they are well enough developed to pose possible harm." He went on to say that there is "no immediate threat" to Chicago or Miami. (more) ¶ 19:41
"We are as safe as we have ever been, and as safe as any city can be," Chicago's Mayor Daley today.Five suspects in an alleged plot to bomb the tallest building in the US, Chicago's Sears Tower, and other buildings appeared before a federal judge in Miami today. Another defendant was scheduled to make a court appearance in Atlanta and it was not clear when the seventh suspect would appear in court.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said "the efforts of 'homegrown terrorists' who reached out to an informant posing as an Al Qaeda leader represent a new twist in the war on terror." Five of the defendants are U.S. citizens, one is a legal permanent resident and one is an illegal alien.
The planning was in its earliest stages, according to Gonzales, and neither the indictment nor comments by authorities in Washington and Miami offered any information to indicate that the men had actually acquired explosives or weapons or taken other practical steps to mount attacks. Gonzales said "the charges reflect a desire by the Justice Department to nip possible attacks in the bud, before they are well enough developed to pose possible harm." He went on to say that there is "no immediate threat" to Chicago or Miami. (more) ¶ 19:41
