Ahmad Wais Afzali

Ahmad Wais Afzali (b. 1972 (age 39–40)) is an imam from Queens, New York, who has also been an informant for the New York City Police.[1] Afzali moved to the U.S. in 1981.[2]

He reportedly had helped authorities by answering routine questions about individuals they were interested in.[2] But he was not a paid informant, and had been called upon infrequently.

He was arrested on September 19, 2009, on "charges of lying in a matter involving terrorism."[3]

Involvement in Zazi failed al-Qaeda attack, and guilty plea

Main article: Najibullah Zazi

Najibullah Zazi, a citizen of Afghanistan and legal resident of the U.S., fell under suspicion.[3] On September 9, 2009, Zazi began a drive from Denver to New York City to engage in a suicide bombing martyrdom operation on the New York City subway during rush hour, at the direction of al-Qaeda.

The following day New York City Police asked Afzali to identify individuals in a series of photographs that included Zazi. Afzali told the police he recognized Zazi and others. The next day Afzali spoke by telephone with Zazi and Zazi's father, telling them about the police inquiry and what Afzali had told the police.

Among the charges Afzali faced was that, during his September 11, 2009, conversation, he warned Zazi that the police had come asking questions about him, and then lied to the FBI about having done so in two subsequent interrogations. He also said that the call was being monitored. Afzali was represented by human rights lawyer Ron Kuby.[2][4] He was released on secured bail of $1.5 million.

On March 4,2010, in a plea bargain he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of lying to U.S. federal agents, and said he was sorry.[5] He faces up to six months in prison, and as part of the plea arrangement the government agreed not to request any jail time.[5][6][7] Brooklyn federal judge Frederic Block will sentence him on April 8.[5][8] As part of his plea agreement, Afzali will voluntarily leave the U.S. within 90 days after completing any prison sentence imposed by the judge.[6] As a felon, he will not be allowed to return to the U.S.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Al Baker, Karen Zraik (2009-09-20). "Lawyer Defends Queens Imam Arrested in Terror Inquiry". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2009-09-21. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2009%2F09%2F21%2Fnyregion%2F21imam.html%3Fhp%3D%26pagewanted%3Dall&date=2009-09-21. 
  2. ^ a b c Tina Susman, Josh Meyer (2009-09-21). "Lawyer for imam charged in alleged terrorism plot says he is a scapegoat". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2009-09-21. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Fnews%2Fnationworld%2Fnation%2Fla-na-terror-arrests23-2009sep22%2C0%2C7930017%2Cfull.story&date=2009-09-21. 
  3. ^ a b Catherine Tsai, P. Solomon Banda (2009-09-21). "Timeline of events in NYC terror probe". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2009-09-21. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhostednews%2Fap%2Farticle%2FALeqM5gHjpcm9gxRATjDc1J9D001NgG5WQD9ARUKIG0&date=2009-09-21. 
  4. ^ Anthony M. Destefano (2009-09-21). "Flushing imam ordered held without bail in terror case". Newsday. Archived from the original on 2009-09-22. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsday.com%2Flong-island%2Fflushing-imam-ordered-held-without-bail-in-terror-case-1.1465922&date=2009-09-22. 
  5. ^ a b c Efrati, Amir (March 4, 2010). "Imam Pleads Guilty in New York Terror Case". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704187204575101981933707478.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories. Retrieved 6 March 2010. 
  6. ^ a b Hurtado, Patricia (March 4, 2010). "Afzali Admits He Lied During Subway Bomb Plot Probe". Business Week. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-04/afzali-admits-he-lied-during-subway-bomb-plot-probe-update2-.html. Retrieved 6 March 2010. 
  7. ^ Sulzberger, A.G., "Imam Snared in Terror Plot Admits He Lied to the F.B.I.", The New York Times, March 4, 2010, accessed March 5, 2010
  8. ^ "Imam pleads guilty in New York subway bomb plot", Reuters, March 4, 2010, accessed March 5, 2010
  9. ^ "Queens Imam Agrees To Plea Deal In Subway Bomb Plot", NY1 News, March 4, 2010, accessed March 4, 2010