FBI: Terror alert issued for Saudi national
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El Shukrijumah weighs approximately 132 pounds, is 5 feet, 3 inches to 5 feet, 5 inches tall, black hair, black eyes, and sometimes wears a beard.
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The FBI is searching for a Saudi national believed to be plotting terrorist attacks as part of a new al Qaeda cell. CNN's Kelli Arena reports. (March 21)
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The FBI issued a worldwide alert Thursday for Adnan G. El Shukrijumah, a Saudi national believed to be plotting terrorist attacks as part of al Qaeda.
The FBI is asking for help from law enforcement officials as well as the public in locating El Shukrijumah, who officials say may have been last seen in Miami before he disappeared. His current whereabouts are unknown.
"El Shukrijumah is possibly involved with al Qaeda terrorist activities and, if true, poses a serious threat to U.S. citizens and interests worldwide," the FBI said in a statement.
El Shukrijumah is described as 27, about 5-foot-4 and 132 pounds or heavier. He may or may not be wearing a beard.
Although born in Saudi Arabia, the FBI said El Shukrijumah carries a passport from Guyana. He also could have passports from Saudi Arabia, Canada or Trinidad. And he has used a half-dozen aliases.
The FBI alert did not specify the nature of the threats El Shukrijumah may pose to U.S. interests. One FBI official said El Shukrijumah only recently came to the agency's attention, but the official did not say how.
The alert came as the FBI intensified its effort to interview thousands of Iraqi-born individuals living in the United States to uncover any potential terrorist attacks planned by Iraqi operatives or sympathizers. The FBI said the interviews also could help protect Iraqis from hate crimes.
Additionally, the FBI is actively investigating "others who have links to terrorism," including potential al Qaeda members or sympathizers in America.
Several thousand FBI agents are being diverted from regular duties to do the interviews and to man command posts at each of the bureau's 56 field offices. They are to gather intelligence and respond quickly to any terrorist threats. A national command center was set up at FBI headquarters in Washington.
"We are bringing to bear the full weight of our resources, expertise, and partnerships," FBI Director Robert Mueller said. "We are running down every lead, responding to every threat, coordinating with every partner, and doing our utmost to keep terrorists from striking back."
The FBI also has new authority from Attorney General John Ashcroft to arrest people on immigration charges if they are believed to post a wartime threat. Officials declined to say Thursday if any such arrests had occurred since the onset of war with Iraq.
Copyright 2003 The
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