The FBI said the arrest was “in connection with a terrorism investigation,” and “was the culmination of an undercover operation during which the suspect was closely monitored by law enforcement.” AL ARABIYA – AGENCIES
A man who thought he had explosives for an attack was arrested Friday near the U.S. Capitol as part of anti-terrorism investigation, the FBI said in a statement. “Explosives the suspect allegedly sought to use in connection with the plot had been rendered inoperable by law enforcement and posed no threat to the public,” the FBI said. The FBI said the arrest was “in connection with a terrorism investigation,” and “was the culmination of an undercover operation during which the suspect was closely monitored by law enforcement.” Fox News reported that the suspect was of Moroccan descent and had expressed interest in an attack on the Capitol to undercover FBI agents, who he had thought were with Al-Qaeda. Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said the suspect was closely monitored by law enforcers, and the purported explosives were deactivated, so the public was not in danger. Meanwhile, two people briefed on the matter told The Associated Press he was not arrested on the Capitol grounds, and the FBI has had him under surveillance around the clock for several weeks. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record. There have been a number of undercover operations in the Washington, D.C., area in recent years in which suspects thought they were plotting to carry out terrorism attacks, but in reality were being monitored by FBI agents and posed no danger. There were no details on the suspect’s name, his age, when he came to the United States or the charges he will face. The officials said the case is expected to be brought by the U.S. Attorney’s office in nearby Virginia.
