February 18, 2015
Top News Today
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Celia Cohen, the failed conspiracy called for members to infiltrate Western society and blend in, only to conduct a series of synchronized attacks in New York City, England and Denmark.
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| Abid Naseer |
The plot involved 28-year-old current terror suspect Abid Naseer, who headed a cell in Manchester, England. Naseer attended college in Manchester as part of his terrorist guise, so as to blend into the local culture while maintaining a strict communication of coded emails with his al-Qaida handlers. According to Naseer, he was only 1 of several young recruits spread out throughout New York City, Manchester and Denmark who were under orders by al-Qaeda to help pull off the biggest operation since the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Another al-Qaeda operative, former Queens, NY resident Najibullah Zazi, previously plead guilty to an elaborate plot that targeted the New York City subway system
“That was the whole point of the Western operatives. … They knew how to blend in and conduct reconnaissance and pick the best target,” Cohen said. The goal, she added, was to “repeat the devastation of 9/11.”
British secret agents uncovered the plot after conducting surveillance on Naseer and other terror suspects. They intend to testify against Naseer and will wear wigs and makeup on the witness stand to conceal their identities.
