Styles 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2004 Boy does this make me feel safe knowing there are Hamas operatives video taping major bridges right by where I live. Even though he was arrestd on other charges I wonder what the implications of Hamas possibly plotting somthing in the US could be, especially for our relations with Israel... COMMIENEWZNETORKLOL~!! Alleged Hamas operative arrested Was videotaping bridge, officials say; held on unrelated charge BALTIMORE (AP) -- A man described as a high-ranking Hamas operative was arrested last week as he videotaped the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and he then was held as a material witness in an unrelated case, authorities said. Ismael Selim Elbarasse of Annandale, Virginia, long suspected by authorities of having financial ties to the Palestinian extremist group, was taken into custody Friday, the U.S. attorney's office in Maryland said Monday. He was held as a material witness in a Chicago terrorism case. Elbarasse made an initial appearance in Baltimore's federal courthouse Monday before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Paul W. Grimm. A federal grand jury in Chicago, in an indictment unsealed Friday, described Elbarasse as an unindicted co-conspirator in a 15-year racketeering conspiracy in the United States and abroad to illegally finance terrorist activities in Israel. Court documents allege that he and defendant Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook -- considered one of the highest-ranking Hamas leaders internationally -- shared a Virginia bank account that was used to launder hundreds of thousands of dollars for Hamas. "He is being held only on the material witness charge," said Marcia Murphy, a spokeswoman for the Maryland U.S. attorney's office. Elbarasse was spotted Friday -- the same day the Chicago indictment was made public -- by two police officers on the Bay Bridge, authorities said. The officers noticed a man in an SUV who appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent videotaping the bridge, authorities said. Authorities said the man, who was with a woman and two children, said they had gone to the beach but could not specify what beach they had visited. They also said the camera had used had recorded close-up images that seemed atypical for a tourist. Police learned that Elbarasse was wanted as a material witness in connection with the Chicago case, and was on an FBI terrorist watch list, authorities said. But he was not charged with any wrongdoing in connection with the videotaping. Since Elbarasse's arrest Friday, authorities have searched his Virginia house, federal officials said. Murphy said she did not know what was found. Also Monday, a Pakistani man who was spotted a month ago videotaping the skyline of Charlotte, North Carolina, was indicted on charges of lying to the police and an immigration violation. Kamran Akhtar, 35, of New York City, was charged with six counts in the indictment, but none of them involved terrorism. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted August 25, 2004 [OPTIMIST] Well, if worse comes to worse, your lines at the bank will be hella-short [/OPTIMIST] -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2004 Our relations with Isreal won't change. If anything this might make it even stronger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2004 Our relations with Isreal won't change. If anything this might make it even stronger. What I mean is, if Hamas attacked us, they would become an enemy in the War on Terror, so would we send troops into Israel? Give them the ok to bomb the West Bank/Gaza? It's all just hypothetical of course...or is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2004 Touche. Hamas is very much an enemy. If they did do something, than i could see some special forces entering Isreal. However, i think the US believes Isreal can handle Hamas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2004 Our relations with Isreal won't change. If anything this might make it even stronger. What I mean is, if Hamas attacked us, they would become an enemy in the War on Terror, so would we send troops into Israel? Give them the ok to bomb the West Bank/Gaza? It's all just hypothetical of course...or is it? I think Hamas is already an enemy in the war on terror, since the current M.O. seems to be wiping all terrorism off the face of the Earth (hah!) even if they haven't made a move yet, witness Saddam and his "willingness to terrorize himself." Bush has flip-flopped on Israel again and again, while our message to them may change, it probably won't be directly impacted by this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2004 But what about his civil rights?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SP-1 Report post Posted August 25, 2004 kkk is right. Even people on terrorist watchdog lists have a right to videotape close up shots of the major support structures of major bridges. If we get attacked, we can always claim the government isn't doing it's job after we're done heckling them about stripping away civil rights. Everyone wins! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted August 25, 2004 this probably doesn't change anything. Middle East US US Israel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2004 this probably doesn't change anything. Middle East US US Israel. Perhaps I confused everyone with the way I phrased my question. Hamas=PALESTINIAN terrorist organization who's mission statement is ISRAEL'S DESTRUCTION. What I meant by relations with Israel, is do we become even more proactive in helping them wipe out this scum. Since we don't really have any working Palestinian relations... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest INXS Report post Posted August 25, 2004 Israel would love to have Hamas on the terror hit list of Bush. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2004 Israel would love to have Hamas on the terror hit list of Bush. I'm sure it's already on there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2004 Israel would love to have Hamas on the terror hit list of Bush. Yes what a diabolical scheme to make enemies in The War On Terror of a sworn terrorist organization with a mission statement to destroy a democratic nation. The plan is diabolical. I bet Israel is just ITCHING for more bus and cafe bombings so they can have their excuse to senselessly slaughter more innocent Palestinians. Bunch of evil Jewish pigs.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Israel would love to have Hamas on the terror hit list of Bush. Brilliant. Simply brilliant... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Olympic Slam Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Israel would love to have Hamas on the terror hit list of Bush. Brilliant. Simply brilliant... Such insight! What provocative thinking! Look out Charlie Rose; YOUR job is in jeopardy. Man.....those Jews......they're more sinister than Joker, Riddler and King Tut put together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Israel would love to have Hamas on the terror hit list of Bush. Brilliant. Simply brilliant... Such insight! What provocative thinking! Look out Charlie Rose; YOUR job is in jeopardy. Man.....those Jews......they're more sinister than Joker, Riddler and King Tut put together. Man, you'd think we'd know better than to trust them. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Local news here has gone nutso about this. I really don't know why terrorists would want to keep people from the rest of Maryland away from the Eastern Shore, or vice versa. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mandarin 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2004 Man.....those Jews......they're more sinister than Joker, Riddler and King Tut put together. What's wrong with King Tut? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SP-1 Report post Posted August 27, 2004 Local news here has gone nutso about this. I really don't know why terrorists would want to keep people from the rest of Maryland away from the Eastern Shore, or vice versa. Symbolism. It's a fairly well known target. Same as the Towers or the Golden Gate bridge or anything like that. When the new Cooper River Bridge in Charleston is finished, it'll be akin to the East Coast equivalent of the Golden Gate. It'll likely end up a target as well after a while and after it's become something of a landmark. General tool of oppression. Destroy anything magnificent of those you wish to conquer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
