BA Worker Charged in Bomb Plot

LONDON—A British Airways computer expert was charged Thursday with plotting suicide bombings—including one he allegedly planned to carry out himself.

Prosecutor Colin Gibbs alleged that Bangladesh-born Rajib Karim deliberately sought a job with the airline in order to further an unspecified terrorist conspiracy.

Mr. Gibbs told the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court that the 30-year-old plotted with unidentified contacts in his home country, Pakistan, and Yemen over the past four years. He said that Mr. Karim shared information about his work, including British Airways' security measures.

Mr. Gibbs also said that Mr. Karim had offered to join the airline's cabin crew if a possible strike by BA staff took place.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/03/11/article-1257189-08AE2C3B000005DC-447_233x389.jpg

Thanks to NW Arizona Granny for pointing to this update:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1257189/BA-worker-planned-use-strike-suicide-bomber.html

“BA worker ‘planned to use strike to become suicide bomber and passed on secrets to terror masterminds in Yemen’”
By SAM GREENHILL and PAUL SIMS
Last updated at 12:47 AM on 12th March 2010

SNIPPET: “Rajib Karim, a trusted IT expert at the airline, planned to volunteer for crew training to help keep flights running during the threatened walkouts.

He also used his access to BA’s computer systems to gain insider knowledge about airline security and pass it to terror masterminds in Yemen and Pakistan, a court heard.”

SNIPPET: “Karim, 30, was born in Bangladesh and came to Britain a few years ago to get a UK passport which would smooth his terror mission, it was claimed.

Two years ago he secured a full-time job at a BA call centre in Newcastle upon Tyne and became ‘heavily involved’ in software development.

But he had a ‘clear intention and desire’ for martyrdom and wanted to become a suicide bomber, Westminster Magistrates Court heard.

His computer allegedly contained encrypted files showing he was in contact with terrorists abroad.”

SNIPPET: “Forensic specialists are continuing to sift through hundreds of files held on computers seized from his workplace and home.

Karim was arrested in Newcastle two weeks ago and has been held at Paddington Green high-security police station in West London.”

SNIPPET: “They said he had moved to the North-East from Manchester three years ago, and described him as quiet and unassuming.”

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