Attack information was downloaded
5/15/2008The hundreds of files found on computer drives and discs confiscated from Mohammad Amawi revealed dozens of downloaded manuals related to the manufacture and use of poisons, explosives, and surveillance techniques.
But although Mr. Amawi seemed to collect information, he never built or created any of the materials, his attorney Timothy Ivey pointed out.
One of the federal officers who took part in the arrest of Mr. Amawi in Jordan in February, 2006, testified in U.S. District Court yesterday about the interview and evidence collected. Similarly, Special Agent Steven Gubanich testified about files found on the computer drives of co-defendant Marwan El-Hindi.
Mr. Amawi has duel American and Jordanian citizenship and was with family overseas at the time of his arrest on several terrorism-related charges. Mr. Amawi, 28, Mr. El-Hindi, 45, and Wassim Mazloum, 26, are each charged with conspiring to kill or injure people in the Middle East - including U.S. troops serving in Iraq - as well as providing "support and resources" to terrorists.
Using a chart made up by the FBI to catalogue the files downloaded by Mr. Amawi, Agent Gubanich testified about the numerous files depicting "improvised explosive attacks and rocket attacks and missile attacks" as well as multiple training sessions, including weapons training and self-defense techniques.
"There were a variety of shooting and improvised explosive attacks as well as some executions," Agent Gubanich said.
As part of his direct examination by federal prosecutors, Agent Gubanich testified about finding files that showed how to create an explosive material called "black powder," how to create a rudimentary detonating device, as well as the 29-minute video that showed how to create and detonate a bomb vest video.
Agent Gubanich said in response to questions from Mr. Ivey that he was unaware of any poisons, explosive devices, or specialty materials needed to create them ever being found in Mr. Amawi's possessions.
Agent Gubanich also agreed with Mr. Ivey's assessment that Mr. Amawi was "cordial" during the more than four-hour interview conducted on the trip from Jordan to the United States.
Prior to the testimony, Judge James Carr reminded the jury of nine men and seven women - including four alternates - that the evidence about what was found on discs given to Mr. Griffin by Mr. Amawi could only be considered as evidence pertaining to Mr. Amawi and not the other two defendants.
However, the agent also testified about the files found on Mr. El-Hindi's computer and the phone numbers found saved in his cell phone, including those of the government's confidential informant, Darren Griffin, and the other two defendants.
Attorney Chuck Boss noted there were other phone numbers also found on Mr. El-Hindi's cell phone, including local travel agencies and a local attorney. And on the computer were files such as photos of animal trailers and a mission statement for a nonprofit organization Mr. El-Hindi had talked about forming to help children of those who are in prison.
The government has called 13 witnesses since April 2. The bulk of its case was dominated by the testimony of Mr. Griffin, who spent years within Toledo's Muslim community gathering information.
Defense attorneys have countered that much of what Mr. Griffin did during the investigation was "fishing."
Federal prosecutors said they are winding up their case and likely will rest no later than early next week.
Contact Erica Blake at:
eblake@theblade.com
or 419-213-2134.