Two Chicago men have been arrested in connection with an alleged terrorist plot that included attacking the Danish newspaper known for publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
The U.S. Justice Department believes they were working for Pakistani-based terrorist organizations, according to a
press release.
One of the defendants was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit terrorist acts involving murder and maiming outside the United States and one count of conspiracy to provide material support to that overseas terrorism conspiracy. The other defendant was charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorism conspiracy.
On Oct. 18, 2009, FBI agents executed search warrants at four locations:residences on the north side of Chicago, a defendant's immigration business in Chicago, and a farm he owns in Kinsman, Ill., approximately 80 miles southwest of Chicago, which is used to provide halal meat for Muslim customers, as well as a grocery store in Chicago.
According to the Justice Department, since at least late 2008 until Oct. 3, 2009, as part of the conspiracy to murder and maim persons abroad, one defendant allegedly "identified and conducted surveillance of potential targets of a terrorist attack in Denmark on two separate trips to Denmark in January and July 2009, and reported and attempted to report on his efforts to other conspirators in Pakistan."
"The public should be reassured that there was no imminent danger in the Chicago area. However, law enforcement has the duty to be vigilant to guard against not just those who would carry out attacks here on our soil but those who plot on our soil to help carry out violent attacks overseas," said Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
The individuals in question were allegedly part of what was called "The Mickey Mouse Project". This alleged plot involved one or more attacks at facilities and employees of Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten, the Danish
newspaper that in 2005 published cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed, an act which angered many Muslims around the world.
The investigation is continuing and is being conducted by the Chicago FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, with particular assistance from the Chicago Police Department, the Illinois State Police and the Department of Homeland Security.
The arrested defendants are David Coleman Headley, 49, and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 48, also known as Tahawar Rana.
