FBI ‘sting’ foils NYC terrorist plot

American FBI agents have foiled a suspected terrorist plot in New York City, using a classic sting to arrest four men. The gang will appear in court later today, accused of planning to bomb a synagogue in the Bronx and attack an Air National Guard base 100 kms upstate. They allegedly planned to carry out their attacks last night. They had bought what they thought were explosives and a Stinger missile, but the FBI had tricked them.

“They had bags that were set up, that they believed to be bombs, carrying about 30lbs of explosives (13,6 kgs) that they believed to be explosives,” said FBI Assistant Director Joe Demarest. “There was no direction by a foreign entity or terrorist group, (it was) a self-contained, home-grown group.”

America has been on high terrorist alert since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre killed nearly 3,000 people in 2001. Some New Yorkers said the arrests show their city is still under threat.

One of the suspects is a Muslim of Afghan origin, the others converted to Islam in prison. Police recorded them saying they wanted to launch a jihad against America and die as martyrs.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: FBI, Terrorism