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Terror Suspect in Italy Linked to More Plots

(New York Times) Elaine Sciolino - The suspected ringleader of the Madrid train bombings who was arrested Tuesday in Italy - Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed, a former Egyptian Army explosives expert - has taken credit for orchestrating the attacks, according to intercepts of his conversations monitored by Italy's anti-terrorism unit. In a conversation on May 26, Ahmed said, "The Madrid attack was my project, and those who died as martyrs were my dearest friends." He added that it took him two and a half years to plan the operation. In the same conversation, after lamenting the fact that a female operative involved in plans for some sort of chemical attack against American interests had been "discovered," he added, "There are other women." He also said, "If they toss a stick, they destroy an entire American neighborhood." Ahmed also said four suicide bombers "ready for martyrdom" would be leaving within the next month for Syria on their way to Iraq.
2004-06-11 00:00:00
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