BROOKLYN FEDERAL COURT — A man connected to New York subway bomb plotter Najibullah Zazi was charged with providing material support to terrorists after being deported from Pakistan, according to U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Texas-born Muhanad Mahmoud Al Farekh traveled to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in Pakistan in 2007 with alleged Canadian jihadist Ferid Imam and trained with al-Qaeda, prosecutor said.
While he was there, Imam provided weapons and military training in 2008 to Zazi and friends Zarein Ahmedzay and Adis Medunjanin, according to the feds.
Zazi and Ahmedzay pleaded guilty in 2010 to planning a suicide attack on the subway system and have been providing information to investigators.
Under a federal plea agreement, Zazi agreed to cooperated with federal investigators in exchange for an American visa and placement in witness protection.
Medunjanin was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in 2012.
“Today’s arrest demonstrates that there is no escape from the long reach of our law for American citizens who seek to do harm to our country on behalf of violent terrorists,” United States Attorney Loretta Lynch said in a statement. “We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to bring such individuals to justice.”
Farekh first met Imam while they were enrolled at the University of Manitoba in Canada.
The two became radicalized in late 2006 and 2007 and started discussing violent jihad and referring to Osama bin Laden as “Sheikh,” according to court papers.
During his arraignment, Farkeh, who wears close cropped hair and a long, full beard, said nothing and stood still as the judge reviewed the charges. He was held, pending a bail hearing on May 2.
He faces up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted.
Two Queens women were also arraigned in Brooklyn federal court Thursday for allegedly planning to set off homemade explosives in the city.
Imam is still being sought by Canadian authorities.
Additional reporting by Gwynne Hogan.
