Pakistani Convicted of Aiding Post-9/11 Al-Qaida Terror Plot in U.S.

By Evan Kohlmann

Several weeks ago, I testified as an expert witness in my capacity as an independent counterterrorism analyst on behalf of federal prosecutors in the Uzair Paracha case.  My expert testimony largely focused on the history, ideology, and leadership of Al-Qaida -- and particularly the role of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM) as Al-Qaida's chief "operational planner" behind major terrorist operations, including the September 11 suicide hijackings.  For those interested further, I'm making available the transcript of Judge Sidney Stein's November 3 Daubert ruling validating me as an expert witness and qualifying me to testify in federal court.

(Associated Press): "A Pakistani man who claimed he was pressured into a false confession was convicted Wednesday of trying to help an al-Qaida operative slip past U.S. immigration officials.  A federal jury deliberated for about five hours before finding Uzair Paracha, 25, guilty of providing material support to terrorists and of other related charges. He could face up to 75 years in prison.  The government accused Paracha of trying to help Majid Khan, an alleged al-Qaida member, sneak into the country using fake travel documents.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Karl Metzner told the jury Paracha wanted to help Khan and "did so knowing that a terrorist was coming here for one purpose: to kill Americans."  Paracha testified he was pressured into confession and only told investigators "what I thought they wanted to hear." His defense attorney Edward Wilford said the FBI denied his client food and sleep during hours of questioning -- "the ideal conditions to create a false confession."  The man Paracha is accused of trying to help, Khan, is presumed to be in overseas jails.  Paracha's father, Saifullah Paracha, is also being held as an enemy combatant in the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He has not been charged with a crime, but documents indicate he is suspected of laundering money for terrorists and associating with al-Qaida figures. He has repeatedly denied any knowing involvement in terrorism.  Uzair Paracha grew up in Pakistan, but has lived off and on for many years in New York, where his family has several business ventures.  After his detention in 2003, he told agents that Khan had tried to recruit him to al-Qaida and made clear that he wanted to come to the United States as part of a plot to attack Americans."

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