A US MAN has been arrested and charged with planning an attack on the Pentagon and the US Capitol using remote controlled aircraft packed with explosives.
Rezwan Ferdaus, 26, of Ashland, Massachusetts was arrested after undercover FBI agents delivered explosive materials and guns to him which it says he requested. According to the FBI, the material was controlled by its agents and the public was never in danger from it.
Authorities say Ferdaus began planning ‘jihad’ against the US early last year and had been influenced by anti-US websites and videos.
According to his alleged plot, he intended to target the Pentagon and the dome of the US Capitol with the explosive-laden planes measuring between 60 and 80 inches in length. He also allegedly supplied undercover agents with mobile phones which could detonate those explosives remotely, and has been charged with attempting to provide materials to al-Qaeda.
Commenting on the arrest yesterday, US Attorney Carmen Ortiz emphasised that “Mr Ferdus’ conduct, as alleged in the complaint, is not reflective of a particular culture, community or religion” and that the charges were not an excuse for anyone to “engage in unlawful behaviour against others in the community”.
“In addition to protecting our citizens from the threats and violence alleged today, we also have an obligation to protect members of every community, race and religion against violence and other unlawful conduct,” Ortiz added.
- Additional reporting by the AP
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