U.S. Indicts American in al-Qaeda Video (searchre is under investigations)
By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 11, 2006; 4:18 PM
A California native who has appeared in al-Qaeda propaganda videos was indicted for treason today, making him the first American to be charged with that crime since the post-World War II era, the Justice Department announced.
Adam Gadahn, who is living overseas and is not in U.S. custody, could be sentenced to death for the treason charge.
These undated, handout file photos provided by the FBI shows Adam Gadahn, who is suspected of attending an al-Qaida training camp and working as a translator for the terror group. The 28-year-old Californian, who joined al-Qaida and appeared in propaganda videos for the terrorist organization, was indicted Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006, on federal charges of treason and providing material support to terrorists, a U.S. Justice Department official said. (AP)
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Gadahn, 28, allegedly "gave al Qaeda aid and comfort . . . with intent to betray the United States," according to the indictment handed up by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles.
"The war on terror is a fight for hearts and minds, and Gadahn gave himself to our enemies in al Qaeda for the purpose of being a central part of their propaganda machine," Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty said in a statement. "By making this choice, we believe Gadahn committed treason."
Along with the treason charge, Gadahn was added today to the FBI's official list of "Most Wanted Terrorists," official said.
Gadahn has participated in videos praising al-Qaeda and calling for attacks against the United States, U.S. officials have said. Originally known as Adam Pearlman, Gadahn grew up on a goat ranch outside Los Angeles and converted to Islam when he was 17. He moved to Pakistan as a young adult, and the FBI has long sought him for questioning.
In one recent video posted on an extremist Web site on Sept. 2, Gadahn -- also known as Azzam the American -- railed in English against "Zionist crusader missionaries of hate and counter-Islam consultants," calling on them to "repent and enter into the light of Islam."
In other videos, Gadahn has threatened al-Qaeda attacks against the United States, officials say. |
