Man indicted in alleged plot to stage 9/11-style attack
Cholo Abdi Abdullah was arrested in the Philippines in 2019
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New York federal prosecutors have indicted a Kenyan man who they allege had planned to stage a 9/11 style attack in collaboration with a terrorist organisation.
Cholo Abdi Abdullah, 30, who was arrested in the Philippines in 2019, has been indicted on charges alleging he conspired to hijack an aircraft and crash it into a building, an unsealed indictment revealed.
Prosecutors allege that Mr Abdullah received flight training in the Philippines to obtain a pilot’s license in preparation to carry out an attack.
Mr Abdullah pleaded not guilty during a brief court appearance on Wednesday and was ordered to be held without bond.
“This case, which involved a plot to use an aircraft to kill innocent victims, reminds us of the deadly threat that radical Islamic terrorists continue to pose to our nation,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said in a statement.
Acting Manhattan US Attorney Audrey Strauss called it a “chilling callback to the horrific attacks of 11 September, 2001.”
Ms Strauss reportedly said the case was a “stark reminder that terrorist groups like al-Shabab remain committed to killing US citizens and attacking the United States.”
Prosecutors accuse the 30-year-old of starting planning the attack in 2016 under the direction of an al-Shabab commander.
The commander was also involved in planning a deadly attack in 2019 on a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, prosecutors said.
Al-Shabab, a Somalia-based militant group and an al-Qaida affiliate, has been designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the State Department.
A request for comment was sent to Mr Abdullah’s defense attorney by the Associated Press.
Reporting by the Associated Press
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.