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Federal Authorities Want Testimony From Man Convicted in Shoe Bomb Plot

Saajid Badat.
Creative Commons
Saajid Badat.

Federal prosecutors want a man convicted in a failed 2001 shoe bomb plot to testify at the sentencing of two British citizens imprisoned in Connecticut for supporting terrorism. 

The men admitted to operating a group of websites that promoted violent jihad. According to court documents, prosecutors want to show the consequences of efforts by Babar Ahmad and SyedTalhaAhsan to use the web to recruit people for terrorism training.

Prosecutors have not named the person they want to testify, but it is believed to be SaajidBadat, who was convicted in a plot to bring down an American Airlines flight with explosives hidden in his shoes. He’s expected to testify that Babar Ahmad sent him to Afghanistan, where he was mentored and trained by members of Al-Qaida.

Ahmad’s attorneys said they plan to object to the testimony, which would be a videotaped deposition. 

This report includes information from the Associated Press. 

Diane Orson is a special correspondent with Connecticut Public. She is a longtime reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. Her stories have been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition and Here And Now. Diane spent seven years as CT Public Radio's local host for Morning Edition.

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