Morocco World News with agencies
New York, February 17, 2012
Capitol Police and the FBI have arrested a Moroccan, whom they accused of planning a suicide attack on the capitol, CNN reported on Friday.
Officials have confirmed that the suspect is not connected to any terrorist organization and was acting alone.
It appears that the man had been set up by undercover agents, who let him to believe that they would cooperate with him in the ploy to carry out the alleged attack. But No explosives were announced to be found in his possession.
According to CNN, the man “had been closely monitored as part of a lengthy and extensive undercover operation, police said, adding U.S. Capitol Police had been “intimately” involved in the investigation.”
Amine El Khalifi, 29, an illegal immigrant who lives in Alexandria, Virginia, was charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction against property owned and used by the United States, intending to detonate a bomb and to shoot people, the US justice department said.
U.S. officials said the arrest “was the culmination of a lengthy and extensive operation during which the individual was closely and carefully monitored.” If convicted, the suspect will face up to life in prison.
It is sad news for the Moroccan community living in the United States and for the image of our country, Omar Mohcine, a professional working at the United Nations in New York, told Morocco World News.
“This by no means represents the thriving Moroccan community living in this country, nor does it reflect the openness of our country over other cultures and religions,” he added.
