Feds say NYC subway bomb plot linked to British cell
A failed plot to set off bombs in the New York subway system last year was part of a larger al-Qaida terrorist conspiracy that planned a similar attack in England, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
In a superceding indictment unsealed Wednesday, prosecutors added several al-Qaida figures to the case, including Adnan Shukrijumah, an FBI most-wanted terrorist.
Shukrijumah, one of the al-Qaida leaders in charge of plotting attacks worldwide, was directly involved in recruiting for and planning the New York attack, prosecutors said.
In that case, three U.S. citizens were arrested in September 2009 before they could carry out a trio of suicide bombings in Manhattan, according to prosecutors. Najibullah Zazi and Zarein Ahmedzay have pleaded guilty and admitted planning to detonate homemade bombs on the subway during rush hour.
A third man, Adis Medunjanin, awaits trial. Prosecutors added new terrorism charges against him Wednesday.
There was no immediate response to a phone message left with Medunjanin’s attorney.
Attorney General Eric Holder has called the New York subway plot one of the most dangerous since 9/11.