August 3, 2007

Specially designated global terrorist and his brother indicted for providing material support to terrorists

SAN FRANCISCO - A U.S.-designated terrorist, who is believed to be at large in the Philippines, has been indicted here on terrorism-related charges along with his brother in San Jose, who allegedly provided him with funds and equipment even as the fugitive evaded capture and battled Philippine troops.

The two men are named in a 16-count indictment announced today by high-level representatives from the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The charges are the result of an investigation by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force in San Francisco, with assistance from ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Zulkifli Abdhir, aka "Zulkifli Bin Abdul Hir, aka "Hulagu," aka "Marwan," 41, a fugitive believed to be in the Philippines, is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and providing material support to terrorists. In September 2003, the U.S. government named Abdhir as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224. In March 2007, the State Department added him to its Rewards for Justice most wanted list and authorized a payment of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction. The State Department noted that Abdhir was a member of the central command of Jemaah Islamiyah and is believed to have been involved in multiple deadly bomb attacks in the Philippines.

Abdhir's older brother, Rahmat Abdhir, aka "Sean Kasem," aka "Sean Kalimin," 43, is charged in the indictment with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, providing material support to terrorists, contributing goods and services to a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (his brother), and making false statements. The elder Abdhir, who is a U.S. citizen, was arrested yesterday by federal agents outside his place of employment in Sunnyvale, Calif.

"With yesterday's arrest and indictment, we have closed off a channel by which an American citizen was allegedly funding and supplying a fugitive designated terrorist with two-way radios and other materials for his operations overseas," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security Kenneth L. Wainstein. "As this case demonstrates, we will bring the full force of the law against anyone who uses the resources of our economy to support overseas terrorism."

"This indictment is the product of the extraordinary efforts that FBI, ICE, CBP and their federal, state and local partners have made to assure that the country is protected from future terrorist acts and that individuals who sympathize with terrorists in other parts of the world do not find comfort in the United States," said U.S. Attorney Scott N. Schools. "I appreciate the investigative efforts of the FBI and ICE, and the prosecutorial efforts and expertise provided by the Department's National Security Division."

"Yesterday's charges illustrate the workings of an international terror network -- and how law enforcement and intelligence agencies, joining together and sharing information, can successfully disrupt the deadly plans of terrorists," said Joseph Billy Jr., FBI Assistant Director for Counterterrorism.

"ICE leveraged both our customs and immigration authorities during this investigation," said Julie L. Myers, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for ICE. "Working with our law enforcement partners, federal agents were able to seize dangerous equipment destined for people who mean to do harm."

According to the indictment, the brothers communicated with one another between the United States and Philippines, often in code to disguise the nature of their activities, as Zulkifli Abdhir engaged in battles with Philippine troops and evaded capture. Among other things, they discussed items that Zulkifli wanted his brother to send him from the United States, including money and accessories for firearms, Insignia two-way radios, backpacks, and knives.

According to the indictment, Rahmat Abdhir shipped the requested items to his brother in the Philippines using various aliases for the sender and the recipient. Between June 2006 and June 2007, Rahmat Abdhir allegedly shipped his brother nearly 30 hand-held or two-way radios, as well as Colt .45 magazines, binoculars, a rifle scope and firearms manual, flashlights, batteries, and camouflage clothing.

The indictment also alleges Zulkifli Abdhir routinely informed his brother when he needed money sent or wired to the Philippines for purchases of items including firearms and ammunition. Rahmat Abdhir transferred the requested money to Zulkifli through bank accounts that his brother provided in the Philippines, varying the time and amount of money sent, and using false names and addresses. Between June 2006 and June 2007, Rahmat Abdhir allegedly sent more than $10,000 to his brother.

Zulkifli Abdhir kept his brother in the United States informed of his situation in the Philippines by providing reports of battles between Philippine troops and his protectors there, including elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The MILF has waged a secessionist campaign in the Southern Philippines over approximately the last 30 years and has provided assistance to groups such as Al Qaeda's regional affiliate Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf group.

In one instance, Zulkifli Abdhir described an effort by Philippine government troops to capture him on Aug. 10, 2006, in which commandos surrounded his house and a gun battle ensued. Zulkifli Abdhir also described numerous battles and conflicts with Philippine government troops after a ceasefire between MILF and the Philippine government ended on Sept. 30, 2006. In turn, Rahmat Abdhir routinely kept his brother informed by providing news stories and Internet links reporting on the conflict in the Philippines and the fact that Zulkifli Abdhir was a wanted fugitive.

Counts one and two of the indictment, conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and providing material support to terrorists, each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Counts three through fifteen of the indictment, charging Rahmat Abdhir with contributing goods and services to a Specially Designated Terrorist, carry a maximum penalty of 20 years for each count. Count 16 of the indictment, which charges Rahmat Abdhir with making false statements, is punishable by up to eight years imprisonment, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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