UTD Student Still In Jail, Awaits Houston Transfer May 15, 2007
Posted by Scarecrow in 12/01/06 Houston Chronicle 6.trackback
Dec 1, 2006 8:21 pm US/Central
UTD Student Still In Jail, Awaits Houston Transfer
Robert Riggs
Reporting
(CBS 11 News) A University of Texas at Dallas sophomore who was arrested Wednesday on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm is being held without bond and awaits transfer to Houston in connection with a conspiracy to aid a global terrorist network..
Syed Maaz Shah’s arrest and arraignment came after a federal investigation of activity on property owned by the Islamic Society of Greater Houston in Willis, which is just north of Houston.
In testimony before United States Magistrate Judge Jeff Kaplan, a FBI special agent assigned to the international counter-terrorism squad described 19-year-old Shah as a self-proclaimed terrorist bent on jihad.
“He held up his passport to the other members of the group and said, ‘Do you want to see the passport of a terrorist?’ ” the agent testified.
The FBI agent further testified Shah was pictured with two Muslim college students — Kobie Williams and Adnan Mirza — who were arrested in Houston earlier this week for an alleged conspiracy to aid the Taliban.
Federal prosecutors allege all three engaged in paramilitary rifle training with other Muslim students at the campground in Willis and bragged about joining the Taliban to fight against U.S. forces.
Shah was accused in court of training to attack coalition soldiers in Afghanistan and has been charged with possession of a firearm by a non-U.S. citizen.
Shah’s attorney, Donald Fulton, declined to discuss the Taliban allegations and tried to minimize the gun charge.
“Gee if everything that I did training with weapons from BB guns on up resulted in criminal charges, they would have me behind bars today. It’s a different world we live in now.”
Shah’s aunt, Rubina Shah, said her nephew is very religious, but is not violent.
“He’s an excellent kid, an excellent student. What else is there to say?”
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