Posted on 06/18/2004 6:00:42 PM PDT by blam
'Top level' al-Qa'eda suspect in Paris
By Henry Samuel in Paris
(Filed: 19/06/2004)
French anti-terrorism magistrates are questioning an al-Qa'eda suspect described as one of the "highest level terrorist suspects to be caught in years".
Said Arif, who experts believe to be a lieutenant of Iraq's most wanted terrorist leader, Abu Musab Zarqawi, was flown from Syria to Paris on Thursday night and placed under investigation in relation to a series of planned terrorist strikes in Paris.
A spokesman for the French interior ministry described Arif as "highly mobile, with all the terrorist techniques taught in Afghanistan". He said France had been looking for him for "many months".
Arif's lawyer said his client had been in jail in Syria for around a year before being extradited, but intimated that any incriminating statements during that time had been made under extreme duress.
"The declarations he made during that year in detention are to be treated with caution," said Felix de Belloy.
According to a judicial source, Arif is "close" to Zarqawi, al-Qa'eda's toxin and chemical poisons specialist suspected of masterminding some of Iraq's bloodiest suicide attacks.
He was also wanted in connection with the so-called Chechen network, "a group suspected of having trained in Georgia to fight the Russians in Chechnya before plotting several terrorist strikes in France and elsewhere in Europe".
Born in Algeria in 1965, Arif deserted the army before joining terrorist training camps in Afghanistan.
Investigators have also cited him as being in "close relation" with a Frankfurt-based group whose planned bomb attack of a market in Strasbourg in December 2000 was prevented at the last minute.
Great catch!
Let me guess. Knowing the french this means that his brother's wife's friend bumped into some one who might or might not have swept the house where Zarqawi shoeshine boy used to live.
Considering how concerned about terrorism the french are that would be about the level of competence and trust I have in their alleged work.
French terms of surrender are being drawn up now.
I was wondering what they were holding him with? Cordon bleu or whine?
(If the French are, indeed, doing something right, I will apologize for my doubt.)
Things may finally be starting to unravel for bin Laden.
So9
Yup. Looks like the same guy.
He wasn't captured in france...he was extradited by the Syrians. Hmmm....who has been putting pressure on boy Assad? Hint...it wasn't the french.
"placed under investigation in relation to a series of planned terrorist strikes in Paris."
How is this possible. The French love the terrorist. They were helping Saddam, they stayed out of Iraq. Maybe the terrorist don't care. Note to Spain, watch your back. They well be back just as soon as they want to extort something else from you.
IMHO, Tora Bora unravelled bin Laden literally. It's just now that we are starting to pick up the pieces......
And what do the Frenchy-Frenchmen find so offensive about this particular fellow? Did he walk out of a Jerry Lewis movie, or something?
As long as Western politicians fail to recognize the true enemy (Mohammedanism and Mohammedans), he has us right where he wants us.
It is possible.
It is also possible the sun will go nova tomorrow.
I consider the sun going nova more probable.
I like your name.
Bump
This is good news but.....I'm getting sick and tired of hearing "top level" & "Top leutinant to....". I want some of the SOB's like Bin Laden (or a carcass) and Al Zaquwari. It always seems one of their minions gets caught but not the big cheese.
Yeah. You think they might put him in Le Gitmo?
GOOGLE Search Term: "SAID ARIF"http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Said+Arif%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&filter=0
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.