Jailed Sheik Hospitalized, New Terror Threats Feared

By Jeralyn, Section War on Terror
Posted on Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 04:37:22 PM EST
Tags: Omar Abdel-Rahman (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Here we go again. Threats of new al-Qaeda attacks are in the air, courtesy of the FBI.

Radical Egyptian cleric Omar Abdel-Rahman, 68, spat up blood on December 6 and was rushed to a hospital, the FBI notice said. He had a small tear in his esophagus and was treated with a "needed transfusion to replace lost blood," said the FBI bulletin to staffers. Medical personnel then discovered the cleric had a tumor on his liver, the FBI said.

The FBI has put out a bulletin raising fears of terror attacks if the Sheik dies in jail.

Abdel-Rahman, who is serving life in a U.S. prison, has called for attacks if he dies in jail. Law enforcement sources said there is no intelligence to suggest there are any attacks being planned.

The Sheik was returned to jail three days ago.

Of course he's going to die in prison. That's what happens to inmates with life sentences. It's just a question of when. Why is there a terror bulletin going out if there is no intelligence to support it.

According to the bulletin:

The FBI bulletin includes what it said was Abdel-Rahman's last will and testament distributed at an al Qaeda news conference in 1998: "My brothers, if they kill me -- which they will certainly do -- hold my funeral and send my corpse to my family but do not let my blood be shed in vain. Rather extract the most violent revenge."

It also notes during the recent Muslim holiday of Ramadan, al Qaeda in Iraq released a videotape encouraging all Muslims there to capture Westerners so they could be exchanged for the release of Abdel-Rahman.

FBI analysts said the tape is evidence that Abdel-Rahman remains a "significant source of inspiration" for al Qaeda and its sympathizers.

The bulletin is intended to alert all those in law enforcement of the possibility of a threat.

< What Robertson Misunderstood in Hamdan | Duke Lacrosse Accuser Pregnant, No Delivery Yet >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

Jailed Sheik Hospitalized, New Terror Threats Feared | 4 comments (4 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

Looks good in a dress. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by Che's Lounge on Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 06:30:52 PM EST

FBI analysts said the tape is evidence that Abdel-Rahman remains a "significant source of inspiration" for al Qaeda and its sympathizers.

Bull***t. All it means is that the guy knows how to write. Why did the FBI release this for all of his "followers" to read? Who exactly is helping the enemy here? Why is this information even public knowledge?

Looks like nothing has changed at the FBI since Hoover, except for the wardrobe selection.

The good old days.... (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by kdog on Sat Dec 16, 2006 at 08:38:26 AM EST

Of course he's going to die in prison. That's what happens to inmates with life sentences

The good old days...when terrorists were brought to justice and sentenced to life in a court of law...instead of being used to further a war agenda.

: And no martyrdom status achieved. (none / 0) (#4)
by Bill Arnett on Sat Dec 16, 2006 at 04:29:26 PM EST

Didn't Lynne Stewart get prison (none / 0) (#1)
by scribe on Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 05:29:16 AM EST

for (alleged) dissemination of far less inflammatory rhetoric than is contained in the FBI press release?

And, isn't it also clear that any "triggering event" for such putative attacks upon the blind sheikh's demise would be pretty evident to the world (i.e., if the sheikh said - do some wrong after I die in prison, it will be pretty obvious when he dies in prison and any followers so inclined would therefore know exactly when to start acting)?

I suppose they decided to see if the "scare 'em and buffalo 'em" tactic is useful again....