15 January 2002
Source:
http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/speeches/2002/011502walkertranscript.htm
Attorney General Transcript
John Walker Lindh Press Conference
DOJ Conference Center
January 15, 2002
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: Good afternoon. Particularly, before I begin, I'd
like to thank Michael Chertoff for being with me, the head of the
Criminal Division, and Larry Thompson, whose duties have him in other
settings today, for their outstanding work in regard to the
announcement that I'll be making.
Today I am announcing the filing of criminal charges against John
Walker Lindh, an American citizen who was captured in Afghanistan
fighting for the Taliban. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of Virginia -- and you all will get a
copy of this complaint, I think, available to you today at the close
of this particular meeting -- the United States is charging Walker
with the following crimes:
One, conspiracy to kill nationals of the United States of America
overseas; namely, U.S. nationals engaged in the conflict in
Afghanistan.
Two, providing material support and resources to designated Foreign
Terrorist Organizations, including al Qaeda.
And three, engaging in prohibited transactions with the Taliban.
If convicted of these charges, Walker could receive life
imprisonment.
The United States does not casually or capriciously charge one of its
own citizens with providing support to terrorists. We are compelled
to do so today by the inescapable fact of September the 11th -- a day
that reminded us in no uncertain terms that we have enemies in the
world and that these enemies seek to destroy us. We learned on
September 11th that our way of life is not immune from attack and
even from destruction.
We have not overlooked attacks on America when they were made by
foreign nationals. We cannot overlook attacks on America when they
come from United States citizens.
As set forth in the complaint, the charges filed against Walker are
based on voluntary statements made by Walker himself.
The complaint alleges Walker knowingly and purposely allied himself
with certain terrorist organizations, with terror; that he chose to
embrace fanatics, and his allegiance to those fanatics and terrorists
never feltered (sic), not even with the knowledge that they had
murdered thousands of his countrymen, not with the knowledge that
they were engaged in a war with the United States, and not, finally,
in the prison uprising that took the life of CI agent -- CIA agent
Johnny Spann.
Walker is in the process of being transferred from the custody of the
United States military, where, by his own account, he was treated
well and received adequate food and medical treatment, to the custody
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
As the complaint states, prior to being interviewed by the FBI,
Walker was informed of his Miranda rights, including the right to
speak to counsel. He acknowledged that he understood each of his
rights, and he chose to waive them, both verbally and in a signed
document. The Department of Justice complaint based on Walker's
statements in interviews states that on or about May 2001, Walker
joined a paramilitary training camp run by the terrorist group Harkat
ul-Mujahedeen. After his training was completed, he was given a
choice to fight with the Harkat ul-Mujahedeen in Kashmir or join the
Taliban to fight in Afghanistan. Walker chose to join the Taliban.
He went to Afghanistan and presented himself to a Taliban recruitment
center, telling the individuals there that -- and I'm quoting --
quote, "he was a Muslim who wanted to go to the front lines to
fight." The complaint further states that because Walker's language
skills were deemed insufficient by Taliban recruiters, he was
referred to another group, which he was told was Osama bin Laden's al
Qaeda network.
When al Qaeda members told Walker he needed more military training to
join the terrorist group, the complaint sets forth Walker's admission
that he spent seven weeks in an al Qaeda camp, training in weapons,
explosives and battlefield combat.
Walker reported that Osama bin Laden visited the camp on three to
five occasions. On one of these occasions, Walker met personally with
bin Laden, who, quote, according to Walker, "thanked him for taking
part in jihad."
According to the complaint, when his al Qaeda training was completed,
Walker -- again, by his own admission -- chose to go to the front
lines of the battle in Afghanistan.
Armed with an AKM rifle, he was sent to Kabul and eventually made it
to the frontline of the battle with the Northern Alliance in Takhar.
Walker told U.S. officials that he was aware of the attacks of
September the 11th and that Osama bin Laden had ordered the attacks.
But even after September the 11th, with full knowledge of the
thousands dead in the United States and al Qaeda's responsibility for
those deaths, the complaint states that Walker continued to fight for
the Taliban against American interests.
After he was taken prisoner in Mazar-e Sharif in November, Walker
refused to cooperate with U.S. officials and lied about his
citizenship. The criminal complaint filed today describes a series of
crossroads John Walker Lindh encountered on his way to joining not
just one, but two terrorist organizations. At each crossroad, Walker
faced a choice, and with each choice, he choose to ally himself with
terrorists. Drawn to South Asia, Walker chose to train with
terrorists. Trained as a terrorist, Walker >chose more advanced
instructions from al Qaeda. Schooled by al Qaeda, Walker chose to
fight on the frontlines with America's enemies. Our complaint, based
on Walker's own words, is very clear: Terrorists did not compel John
Walker Lindh to join them; John Walker Lindh chose terrorists.
Walker was blessed to grow up in a country that cherishes freedom of
speech, religious tolerance, political democracy, and equality
between men and women. And yet he chose to reject these values in
favor of their antithesis, a regime that publicly and proudly
advertised its mission to extinguish freedom, enslave women, and deny
education. John Walker Lindh chose to fight with the Taliban, chose
to train with al Qaeda, and to be led by Osama bin Laden.
We may never know why he turned his back on our country and our
values, but we cannot ignore that he did. Youth is not absolution for
treachery, and personal self-discovery is not an excuse to take up
arms against one's country. Misdirected Americans cannot seek
direction in murderous ideologies and expect to avoid the
consequences.
Not all conduct against the United States by U.S. citizens is
susceptible to the charge of treason. The Constitution imposes a high
evidentiary burden to prove the charge of treason. Article III,
Section 3 of the Constitution requires that treason be proven only by
a confession in open court or by the testimony of at least two
witnesses to each alleged overt act. For now, we are confident in
going forward with the charges we've filed today.
And in the meantime, our investigation of Walker will continue. We
have not ruled out filing additional charges against him.
We in America have a country respected for cherishing freedom and
tolerating dissent. We have fought wars in defense of our freedom and
our right to criticize our government. And when criticism turns to
violence against these very values, we must once again defend our
nation. The United States Department of Justice will defend the
values reflected in our laws by prosecuting John Walker Lindh.
Thank you. Now I'll be happy to take questions. Yes, sir?
Q Attorney General, why are you charging him with a capital crime,
given everything you've just outlined?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: I think it's very clear, from the outline that I
have made, the crimes for which we believe the evidence now provides
a basis for making those charges, and that's the reason for which we
are charging those crimes.
Q Attorney General, how much did you consult with President Bush
about this? And can you talk a little bit about the process of
consultation and so forth that led to this decision?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: Well, very frankly, my consultations with the
president are a matter private to him, and he would be the only
individual eligible to comment on any consultations that I would have
with the president, if any. Thank you.
Q Why isn't he a candidate for a military tribunal?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: Well, Mr. John Walker Lindh is a U.S. citizen,
and according to the military order issued by the president, it's for
dealing with non-citizens of the United States.
Yeah?
Q You said other charges would be considered. Does that mean he may
still be charged with treason and face the death penalty?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: Yeah. If additional evidence is developed that
would provide a basis for other charges -- and I don't want to begin
an inventory of those charges at this time, but there could be a
variety of other things that might be developed -- then we would be
free to bring other charges against him.
Yes?
Q Mr. Ashcroft, you said that he chose to go to the front lines to
fight against the Northern Alliance. Did he at any time -- is there
evidence that he at any time actually fought against any American
soldiers, servicemen?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: I think it's pretty clear that the complaint that
you will receive a copy of, if you haven't already, alleges that he
had knowledge of the American forces in the theater, that he was
aware that -- he personally was among troops being bombed by American
forces and knew that the participants in the conflict were not
limited to those individuals who we might normally consider members
of the Northern Alliance.
Yes?
Q Taken together with the decision to bring Mr. Moussaoui to the
Eastern District of Virginia, can we now take this as a sign that all
of those who are charged in connection with the Afghanistan campaign
and the investigation of PENTBOMB will be brought to Alexandria for
trial? And might there be a trial with multiple defendants?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: Let me just indicate that I think it's fair to
say that we will view these cases individually and measure the best
interests of the United States and consider the law which -- the law
regarding venue, which may provide a basis for different cases being
brought in different settings. So I wouldn't draw any conclusions.
And you said might there be multiple defendants. I don't think you
should indicate -- or judge from this case -- draw any conclusions
related from this Eastern Virginia -- charge that there would be
multiple defendants.
Yes?
Q We all saw the newsreels of the interviews with John Walker Lindh.
But it seems from the indictment that there were subsequent
interviews with him in which he acknowledged the same things that he
was interviewed about, about participating.
Or did most of the basis for the indictment come from those
interviews?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: The basis for the indictment is from statements
made by John Walker Lindh to FBI investigators after he had, both
orally and in written form, acknowledged his rights and indicated his
understanding of those rights that had been provided to him by the
FBI investigators.
Yes, sir?
Q Is there a formal process for transferring Mr. Walker from military
custody to the FBI, or is it just a matter of handing him over?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: I'm not going to be making comments about how the
particular custody arrangements of this particular case will be
undertaken or the particular time frames and locations in which they
will be undertaken.
Sir?
Q Did he provide any information to the FBI that was helpful to the
investigation of al Qaeda or the September 11th attacks?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: I'm not going to comment on additional
information that might have been developed. The complaint, which will
be available to you, is significant, but it does not include an
entire transcript of those items which were the subject of the
inquiries.
Yes, sir?
Q Sir, even though he was "Mirandized," his family has complained
several times that they haven't had the chance to get his lawyer in
to talk to him yet. Do you know how soon his lawyer will have access
to him now that these charges have been filed?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: Well, I think it's important to understand that
the subject here is entitled to choose his own lawyer, and to our
knowledge, has not chosen a lawyer at this time. And as such, when he
is brought into the Eastern District for the process, which is
beginning today, he'll have every right to counsel.
Let's see, you haven't -- yes, ma'am?
Q You said that Osama bin Laden had asked him and actually thanked
him for participating in a jihad. Can you comment on whether that was
before 9/11 or after 9/11?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: The complaint quotes Mr. John Walker Lindh as
having met with Osama bin Laden and saying that Osama bin Laden
thanked him for participating in jihad. I'm not confident now that I
could say at which particular juncture in the time line that was
undertaken.
Yes, ma'am?
Q Could you comment on the tone of his remarks to the FBI, his
statements? Was he remorseful at all or does he remain pretty defiant
about his involvement with al Qaeda?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: I can't comment on that and I probably wouldn't
-- (laughing) -- but I can't.
Yes, ma'am?
Q When do you expect him to be arraigned?
ATTY GEN. ASHCROFT: It's -- we're going to act promptly in this
matter, but I think it's impossible at this time to be able to strike
clear and definitive time lines.
Thank you very much.
END.
Source: http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/criminalcomplaint1.htm
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA )
)
v. ) Criminal Number
)
JOHN PHILIP WALKER LINDH, )
a/k/a "Suleyman al-Faris," )
a/k/a "Abdul Hamid," )
)
Defendant. )
I, Anne E. Asbury, being duly sworn, depose and state:
1. I am a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Department of Justice, assigned to the Washington Field Office. I have been employed by the FBI as a Special Agent since January 1991. My primary duties are to conduct terrorism related investigations.
2. This affidavit contains information necessary to support probable cause for this application. It is not intended to include every fact or matter observed by me or known by the Government. The information provided is based on my personal knowledge and observations during the course of this investigation, information conveyed to me by other law enforcement and government officials, and my review of records, documents, and other physical evidence obtained during this investigation.
3. This application is submitted in support of a criminal complaint and an arrest warrant charging John Philip Walker Lindh, a/k/a "Suleyman al-Faris," a/k/a "Abdul Hamid," ("Walker"), a United States citizen, with: (1) engaging in a conspiracy, while outside the United States, to kill nationals of the United States outside of the United States, namely, United States nationals engaged in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2332(b); (2) providing, attempting to provide, and conspiring to provide material support and resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations, namely, al-Qaeda and Harakat ul-Mujahideen ("HUM"), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2339B and 2; and (3) engaging in prohibited transactions with the Taliban, in violation of Title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 545.201 and 545.204, Executive Order # 13129, Title 50, United States Code, Sections 1702 and 1705, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
4. From my review of reports and other statements prepared by law enforcement officers, U.S. military personnel, and other government officials, I have learned that, on or about November 25, 2001, Johnny Micheal Spann who was, at the time an employee of the Central Intelligence Agency, and an individual identified herein as "confidential source 1" ("CS-1"), an employee of the United States Government, were conducting interviews at the Qala-i Janghi ("QIJ") compound near Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, of al-Qaeda, and Taliban forces who had been captured by, or who had surrendered to, Northern Alliance forces in the course of the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Among those interviewees was an individual later identified as the defendant, Walker. Shortly after Walker's interview, prisoners - who numbered several hundred - staged an uprising that took several days to suppress and which resulted in Spann's violent death. During the course of the uprising, Walker retreated with other detainees to a basement area of the QIJ compound, where he remained for several days before being identified by military and medical personnel as a United States citizen. Walker has remained in the custody of U.S. military forces since that time.
5. On or about December 9 and 10, 2001, a Special Agent of the FBI interviewed Walker. Before conducting the interview, the Special Agent advised Walker of his Miranda rights. Walker acknowledged that he understood each of those rights, and then waived those rights. The Special Agent also presented Walker with a form on which those rights are set forth and Walker signed below the waiver clause in which he acknowledged that he understood his rights, that he was waiving those rights, and that he agreed to be questioned by the FBI outside the presence of a lawyer.
6. I have since read the Special Agent's report of his interview of Walker. In sum, the report indicates that: (1) Walker, a resident of California, converted to Islam in or about 1997;(1) (2) in 1998 and again in early 2000, Walker traveled to Yemen to study Arabic and Islam; (3) in or about October 2000, Walker traveled from Yemen to Pakistan to continue his studies; (4) in or about May 2001 Walker joined a paramilitary training camp run by the Harakat ul-Mujahideen ("HUM"), in order to fight in Kashmir on behalf of that terrorist organization; (5) in or about June 2001, Walker traveled to Afghanistan to fight with the Taliban; (6) from a Taliban recruiting center in Kabul, Afghanistan, Walker was referred to an Arabic mujahideen group that Walker was told was run by Usama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist organization;(2) (7) Walker underwent a seven week terrorist training program at al-Qaeda's al-Farooq training camp; (8) during the course of Walker's training course, Usama Bin Laden visited the al-Farooq camp on several occasions, addressed the trainees, and, on at least one occasion, met personally with Walker in a small group; (9) after training at al-Farooq, Walker was deployed with other al-Qaeda mujahideen to the front line in Takhar; (10) after Walker's position in Takhar was targeted by U.S. air strikes, he and his group retreated to Kunduz; and (11) eventually a withdrawal and surrender was negotiated with Northern Alliance forces and Walker and other members of his al-Qaeda group were transported to Mazar-e-Sharif and ultimately to QIJ.
7. More particularly, and with regard to HUM, the report indicates that Walker stated, in substance that, on or about May 1, 2001, Walker left a school he was attending in Bannau, Pakistan and was escorted by an acquaintance to an HUM propaganda/recruitment office in Peshawar. After a few days at the HUM office, Walker was transported to a training camp north of Islamabad. The camp consisted of a guest house, mosque, office and and a building to store the weapons. Before leaving the HUM office, HUM officials told Walker not to admit to anyone that he was American but to say, if asked, that he was from Ireland. Within days of his arrival at the HUM camp, Walker commenced paramilitary training that took some 24 days, and included propaganda speeches, firearms training, and some unspecified "special missions" training.(3) During the firearms portion of the training, Walker used several different weapons. At the conclusion of his training, HUM officials asked Walker whether he wanted to continue training or go to Afghanistan to fight. Walker further stated that he decided instead of fighting with HUM in Kashmir, he would join the Taliban in Afghanistan.
8. The report further indicates that, according to Walker, HUM arranged for Walker's travel to Afghanistan in or about late May 2001. With a letter of introduction from HUM, Walker reported to the Dar ul-Anan Headquarters of the Mujahideen in Kabul, which was used as a Taliban recruiting center, and told them that he was a Muslim who wanted to go to the front lines to fight. After several interviews - including some by individuals who Walker reports were later killed at QIJ - Walker was told that he would have to go to the Arab group because, among other things, Walker was an American who did not speak the Urdu, Pashtu, or Dari spoken by the other mujahideen groups. During this interview process, Walker was told that the Arab group is Usama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda group and that, because Walker's HUM training was insufficient for their purposes, Walker would have to attend an al-Qaeda training camp for additional and extensive military training. Walker further stated that he knew at the time that Bin Laden and al-Qaeda were "against America and the government of Saudi Arabia," and that al-Qaeda's purpose was to fight Americans.
9. According to Walker, he was accepted to al-Qaeda and sent to a Bin Laden guest house in Kandahar for several days. Thereafter, Walker was transported to the al-Farooq camp, arriving on or about June 1, 2001. Within the first several weeks of his arrival there, in or about early June 2001, Walker learned from one of his instructors that Bin Laden had sent people to the United States to carry out several suicide operations. Walker remained at the camp for the duration of the seven week training course, which included courses in weapons, orienteering, navigation, explosives, and battlefield combat. During the weapons training, Walker used shoulder weapons, pistols, and rocket propelled grenades ("RPG"). During the explosives training, Walker used grenades and constructed Molotov cocktails. Walker reported that Bin Laden visited the camp on three to five occasions and gave lectures on "the local situation, political issues, old Afghan/Soviet battles, etc." On at least one of those occasions, Walker and four other trainees met with Bin Laden for approximately five minutes, during which Bin Laden thanked them for taking part in jihad. Walker also stated that, during his training he was offered several options. The first option was to continue training at al-Farooq or at one of Bin Laden's many other camps in Afghanistan, including at Kandahar, Kabul, Khost, and Jalalabad in courses such as artillery, explosives , poisons, intelligence, and terrorist tactics. Another option offered Walker was to go to the front lines and fight the Northern Alliance. Walker also stated that, during his training at al-Farooq, he met with Abu Mohammad Al-Misri, an Egyptian whom Walker understood to be the general manager of the training camps. Al-Misri asked Walker, as well as other foreigners training at the camp, whether he was interested in traveling outside Afghanistan to conduct operations against the United States and certain Israeli targets.(4) Walker declined the offer and chose instead to go to the front lines to fight.
10. Walker further stated that, after completing his al-Qaeda training, Walker was issued an AKM rifle and sent to Kabul with approximately 30 other mujahideen. Walker carried the rifle with him while, together with approximately 150 fighters, Walker made his way from Kabul to the front line in Takhar. Walker's group rotated in two week shifts in the Takhar trenches defending against Northern Alliance attacks. During this time, Walker's AKM rifle malfunctioned, and he was reissued a new rifle and he carried that as well as two grenades along the front line. Walker also stated that, on September 11 or 12, he learned about the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York by radio. According to Walker, it was his and his comrades' understanding at the time that Bin Laden had ordered the attacks and that additional attacks would follow.
11. Walker also stated that, after the September 11 attacks, all of the Bin Laden training camps were closed and the people in those camps were sent to the front lines to protect Bin Laden and to defend against what they anticipated would be attacks from the United States. Walker further stated that he remained with his fighting group until their position in Takhar was bombed by the U.S. Thereafter, according to Walker, he and his group retreated to Kunduz. Eventually, a withdrawal was negotiated with General Dostum of the Northern Alliance, as part of which Walker and other fighters surrendered their arms and were trucked to Mazar-e Sharif, and ultimately to QIJ. Walker further stated that he was eventually interviewed by two Americans (i.e., Spann and CS-1) to whom, according to Walker, he identified himself as a Pakistani. Walker stated that, after the interview, he was moved to a lawn where others whose interrogations had been completed had also been moved. Shortly thereafter, Walker heard shots and screaming from the basement. Walker further stated that, upon hearing this, Walker got up and tried to run, but was shot in the leg and collapsed in the yard. Walker stated that he remained lying in the yard until he was brought to the basement by his comrades. Walker claims not to have seen what happened to the two Americans who had interviewed him.
12. Walker further stated that ultimately a surrender was arranged and Red Cross workers took the sick and wounded to hospitals near Mazar-e-Sharif. Walker stated that, while in transit, he discussed his situation with a CNN reporter. Walker also stated that he has been treated well by the military, and has received adequate food and medical treatment while in their custody.
13. As set forth above, Walker stated that he was interviewed by CNN while en route to Mazar-e-Sharif after the QIJ uprising. I have reviewed the broadcasts and transcripts of the interview as well as reports of Walker's statements that were also broadcast. The relevant portions are set forth below and substantially corroborate Walker's statements to the FBI.(5)
In a tape of Walker's interview, which aired on CNN on December 2, 2001, he stated:
I was a student in Pakistan studying Islam. And I came into contact with many people who were connected with Taliban. I lived in the region of the northwest frontier province there. The people there in general have a great love for the Taliban. So, I started to read some of the literature of the scholars and the history of the movement, and my heart became attached to them.* * * * * When we withdrew from Takhar, we walked by foot maybe more than 100 miles. Afterward, I was very sick for the whole period.
In the same broadcast, the
correspondent who conducted the interview, went on to say that Walker had
said he:
14. Based upon preliminary reports
of U.S. military and other personnel, as well as upon media accounts, I
understand that, among other things, the following transpired at QIJ in or
about the end of November 2001:
15. I also understand that a photographer was present in QIJ on or about November 25, 2001, and that portions of several of Spann's interviews that day, including that of Walker, was filmed. I have reviewed several portions of that footage, which has been broadcast and published in various media. Among other things, the footage shows Spann interviewing Walker. Among the many questions Spann asked Walker was his name, where he was from, how he got to QIJ, and how he was recruited. Walker did not answer any of Spann's questions.
16. Based on the foregoing, I have probable cause to believe that: (i) from in or about May 2001 through in or about December 2001, John Philip Walker Lindh, a/k/a "Suleyman al-Faris," a/k/a "Abdul Hamid," the defendant, while outside the United States, engaged in a conspiracy to kill nationals of the United States outside of the United States, namely, United States nationals engaged in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2332(b); (ii) from in or about March 2001 through in or about May 2001, John Philip Walker Lindh, a/k/a "Suleyman al-Faris," a/k/a "Abdul Hamid," the defendant, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, but outside of the jurisdiction of any particular state or district, unlawfully, willfully, and knowingly, provided material support and resources, as that term is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b), to a foreign terrorist organization, namely, Harakat ul-Mujahideen ("HUM"), and attempted and conspired to do so, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2339B and 2; (iii) from in or about May 2001, through in or about December 2001, John Philip Walker Lindh, a/k/a "Suleyman al-Faris," a/k/a "Abdul Hamid," the defendant, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, but outside of the jurisdiction of any particular state or district, unlawfully, willfully, and knowingly, provided material support and resources, as that term is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2339A(b), to a foreign terrorist organization, namely, al Qaeda, and attempted and conspired to do so, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2339B and 2; and (iv) from in or about May 2001, through in or about December 2001, outside of the jurisdiction of any particular state or district, John Philip Walker Lindh, a/k/a "Suleyman al-Faris,"a/k/a "Abdul Hamid," the defendant, being a United States person, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, willfully, and knowingly contributed goods and services to, and for the benefit of, the Taliban, and supplied directly and indirectly goods and services to the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban and to the Taliban and to persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to 31 C.F.R. §545.201, in violation of of Title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 545.201 and 545.204, Executive Order # 13129, Title 50, United States Code, Sections 1702 and 1705, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
________________________________________
Anne E. Asbury
Special Agent
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of
Justice
Sworn to and subscribed to before me
on January 15, 2002
_________________________________
United States Magistrate Judge
______________
Notes
1. According to Walker's father, Walker assumed the name "Suleyman al-Faris" when he converted to Islam.
2. At all relevant times herein, the Secretary of State had designated HUM and al-Qaeda as Foreign Terrorist Organizations pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
3. Walker reported that there were approximately 100 trainees at the camp while he was there. Those trainees were broken down into smaller groups of 15 or 20. At least one of his fellow trainees, according to Walker, was killed at the QIJ uprising.
4. Walker's description of al-Misri is consistent with that provided by confidential sources, at least one of whom is a former member of al-Qaeda who is familiar with the operation of the several training camps run by Bin Laden and al-Qaeda. According to at least one of those sources, al-Misri (which means "the Egyptian") is also known as "Saleh," who is a fugitive under indictment in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for his participation in the 1998 bombings of the United States embassies in East Africa .
5. The following accounts are drawn from preliminary transcripts of CNN broadcasts.
6. In additional footage of the same interview, Walker indicated that he had adopted the name "Abdul Hamid."