Saudi student in Texas ‘who planned attack on Bush home’ indicted

A Saudi student at a college in Texas has been indicted on a charge of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, after prosecutors said he ordered bomb components online and hatched plans to attack various US targets, including New York City and former President George W. Bush’s Dallas home.

Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, 20, could be sentenced to life in prison and fined $250,000 (£154,000) if he is convicted of the single count.

US District Judge Sam Cummings also issued an order that prohibits the parties to the case and their attorneys from speaking with the news media.

Prosecutors said in court documents that US federal agents arrested Aldawsari, a former chemical engineering major, on February 23 after tracing online purchases of bomb components to him, finding extremist internet postings he made, and digging up plans he had to attack US targets during a secret search of his home, computer, email accounts and diary.

The FBI has declined discuss the timing of the arrest.

Authorities said a US chemical company, Carolina Biological Supply of Burlington, North Carolina, reported $435 (£268) in suspicious orders by Aldawsari to the FBI on Feb. 1.

Separately, Ann Arbor, Michigan-based shipping company Con-way Freight notified police and the FBI the same day with similar suspicions because it appeared the order was not intended for commercial use.

Prosecutors allege that Aldawsari was inspired by al-Qaida’s 9/11 attack and planned to leave bombs in several rental cars during rush hour in New York.

The FBI said Aldawsari was considering a range of targets, including dams, nuclear power facilities and Mr Bush’s Dallas home.

Aldawsari allegedly wrote: “After mastering the English language, learning how to build explosives and continuous planning to target the infidel Americans, it is time for jihad”.

A Saudi-based industrial corporation paid for his education but Aldawsari was planning an attack even before coming to the US claims the FBI.