British Airways employee faces terrorism charges
March 11, 2010London, England (CNN) — A British Airways employee accused of funding terrorism and planning suicide bombings — including his own — appeared in court Thursday.
Prosecutor Colin Gibb called the suspect, Rajib Karim, “a very dangerous individual, facing very serious offenses and likely to face a serious term of imprisonment.”
Authorities said Karim — who was born in Bangladesh and is now a British citizen — collected money in Britain and sent it to Yemen and Bangladesh to fund terrorist activities.
British authorities believe he had significant success in financing terrorist operations, security sources with knowledge of the case told CNN.
He volunteered to recruit suicide bombers and to be one himself, prosecutors said in court. He said he would go to Yemen or Pakistan for training, they charged.
Karim, 30, is charged with two counts of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts and fundraising for the purpose of terrorism, London’s Metropolitan Police Service said Wednesday. He appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Karim, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is an information technology developer for British Airways, authorities have said.
The alleged offenses took place between April 13, 2006, and February 25, 2010, “with the intention of committing acts of terrorism outside the UK or assisting another to commit such acts,” police said.
Karim did not speak during the 15-minute court hearing except to confirm his name and date of birth, November 4, 1979. He wore a black fleece pullover zipped up to the neck and white trousers, and appeared impassive throughout the hearing.
He did not enter a plea.
The hearing was intended only to outline the charges and discuss bail. Karim did not apply for bail. Prosecutor Gibbs had argued he should not be granted bail primarily because there was an ongoing investigation that could be impeded if Karim were released.
Police learned about his alleged activities from encrypted data on his computer at home, which was seized when he was arrested last month.
He used his position at British Airways to advise foreign terrorists on airport security measures, including suspicion scans, liquid allowances, and computer systems, prosecutors alleged.
He is also accused of offering to take advantage of a possible strike by British Airways crews. Prosecutors believe he advised his contacts that because of the industrial disputes he might have the opportunity to apply to join a cabin crew, giving him information on cabin crew training and on-the-job activity.
Not only does this article remind us of the never-ending threat of Islamic terrorism, it also shows us how Muslims infiltrate positions in which they can use the information given to them against us. Muslims working for the airlines, bad idea. Muslims in the government, bad idea. Muslims in the military, bad idea…..
All you Brits love politeness over logic. You invited a cancer into your country and now you defend it. America is going to have to bail your asses out again with the blood of our children. WAKE THE F_ _ _ UP!
Not as long as you got a muz prez you ain't.
We can say that about the Americans too.
Wake up!!
I know that, BBJ.
We know we need to get our own terrorist out. Starting with the one in the white house.
Its evident to any rational person that arselifters are becoming an immense problem in every Western country they are infesting.
Voters have to push for laws restricting where they can work for a start. None in the military and police forces. None in the public service. And, if I had my way, none of them driving taxis.