Washington, Aug 06: US authorities will soon file terrorism charges against a detained Pakistani man with links to a senior Al Qaeda leader who masterminded the September 11 terror attacks, law enforcement officials said. Uzair Paracha has been secretly detained as a material witness since his arrest March 31 in the offices of a New York clothing import firm owned by his father, according to sources. Authorities believe the Paracha family business many have been used as a cover for attempts to smuggle Al Qaeda operatives or weapons into the us, sources familiar with the case told the Washington Post. Paracha's father, who owns a Pakistani textile company, was last seen as he tried to board an airplane in Karachi a month ago. He was arrested by Pakistani police and has been held incommunicadeo ever since. Paracha's Attorney Anthony Rocco said he anticpates a "multi-count indictment" against his client that includes charges that he tried to help Al Qaeda operatives enter the US.
Ricco said Paracha denies the allegations. "He did not knowingly provide support to a terrorist organisation in any way. We believe that if he gets an oppurtunity to fairly present these issues to a fair and impartial jury, they will agree".
Senior Al Qaeda Lieutenant Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who masterminded the September 11 attacks and was later arrested, provided the information that led to Paracha's arrest.
Bureau Report