Kenyan man convicted in New York of plotting 9/11-style attack on U.S.

A Kenyan antheral was convicted Monday for conspiring to hijack an craft successful the U.S. and clang it into a gathering successful an onslaught eerily reminiscent of the Sept. 11, 2001 assault.

Cholo Abdi Abdullah was found blameworthy by a assemblage connected each six counts helium faced related to the plot, which helium planned to transportation retired connected behalf of designated violent radical al-Shabab, an al Qaida affiliate that aims to make an Islamic authorities successful Somalia that adheres to Shariah law.

He had been arrested successful 2019 successful the Philippines aft undergoing 2 years of formation grooming and earning a pilot’s license. He besides researched “the means and methods to hijack a commercialized airliner,” however to breach a cockpit door, and sought “information astir the tallest gathering successful a large U.S. city,” the Department of Justice said successful a 19-page indictment unsealed successful December 2020 aft Abdullah was extradited to the U.S.

“This chilling callback to the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, is simply a stark reminder that violent groups similar al Shabab stay committed to sidesplitting U.S. citizens and attacking the United States,” the section said successful a connection astatine the time.

Federal officials contended helium spent 4 years plotting the attack, from getting trained successful explosives to learning however to run successful concealed and debar detection.

Abdullah’s sentencing is scheduled for March, with a minimum of 20 years successful situation expected.

At his trial, representing himself, Abdullah did not springiness an opening connection and did not question witnesses, arsenic a mode to forgo participating successful a strategy helium didn’t judge in.

With News Wire Services

Originally Published: November 4, 2024 astatine 11:51 PM EST