FBI Vault Investigation May 2004

DE I: LL55 I FIED BY Raw O1_31_2O03! 5 E3 ] E3 §!J.T : ." T.§£92I'I."'I'ILT LEE II EIE1 -15.111 -IE UH Ell-25-ECIIJT Is hétw FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Precedence: ROUTINE Date: O5/18/2004 To: Counterterrorism Attn: SSi I IA ITOS l, CONUS 1, TEAM 16 A Atlanta AM b 6 b7C Attn: SSA S S Los Angeles From: San Attn: SSAI I * Diego Squad 21 Contact: I I Approved By:I I ml 3l5N SD 64663 Al Pending! Case IDé: §Q Drafted By: Title: MIHDAR MOHAMMAD AL MIHDAR ZAID, guy A.K.A. b6 1°76 _ MOHDAR MOHAMED ABDULLAH; IT UBL/AL QAIDA b7; Synopsis: §E% Interview of Charles Sabah hereinafter Toma, Toma bvi I_ A on May .Declas U! Full 18, O 4. IUI»¬§{ Derive Field Investigation Details: U! f G-3 Instituted: O5/22/2002 The interviewofI Iwas based oninformation F:::::]refer EC 57I77ZUUZ.I dated to I provided previously by S¬F%ET II s gm To: Counterterrorism From: San Diego Re: >{ 3l5N SD 64663, 05/1s/2004 U! V lb"/C b6 Ib7D S9éQET 2 s§z42ET Co nterterrorism From: San Diego Re ES? 3l5N-SD-64663, 05/18/2004 116 10"/C 197D sw 3 s1; e§ET Counterterrorism From: San Diego 3l5N SD-64663,05/1s/2004 UII b6 b7C b7D sE>@'r 4 @6221 To: 53l5N Oggnterterrorism From: Diego San SD 64663, O5/18/2004 Re IIUII LEAD s!: Set L ead 1: Info! COUNTERTERRORISM AT WASHINGTON D.C. EU? agi For information only. Set L ead 2: Info! ATLANTA AT ATLANTA, GEORGIA iUi ¬!8 For information only. Set L ead 3: Info! LOS ANGELES AT LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA cUI_~;E For information only. 00 S§h¬LT 5 Rev. Q1-31-2003! sgbigw FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Precedence: IMEDIATE Date: O5/17/2004 To: CounterterrorismAttn:IASS1 ITOS 1, CONUS l, DEELASSIFIED I3-I132-=1 E11" AT.TC,="E!J. T_£'EPB,-TIIIII TEAM 16 um Ul 25 2DU? SA : >1 PENTTBOMB TEAM Atlanta Attn: P6 p7C SSA S .S Los Angeles ,Attn: S San Diego Attn: SA SA IA From: San Diego Sq. 21 Contact: I Approved By: Drafted Bv [IIIIIIIIIIIIIII] Case ID # :Uh% Pending! Title: §x§ MIHDAR MOHAMMAD AL MIHDAR ZAID, ua; A.K.A. MOHDAR MOHAMED ABDULLAH; IT UBL/AL QAIDA OO:SD blc b6 " >'b'7T__! Synopsis: Informatiog U! protect identity, Effjjtffj to the FBI and DH ICE, San Diego, Calitornia. A summary ofon previous contact with other law enforcement agencies. Based the information ol raph mentioned below, examination for[::::::] approval was obtained to administer a The results of the polygraph revealed [f::%f:Pid not show deception, pending review the FBIHQ. of H_£l' Derive r ch Eg Declass X1G 3 s §{§T s@§g1~ To: Egxnterterrorism From: Diego San Re: _, 3l5N-SD 64663 Pending!, O5/17/2004 b6 ~h7c g!" . b7D U! Full Field Investigation Instituted: O5/22/2002 Administrative: Attached Atlanta U! fortheare Photo&#39 DMV is also attached FYI. Photo of San Diego approval was 5/l3/2004, via telcal. p given for Iwas not available. SAC the Polygraph Details: U! examination on I date of birth[::::::::::] currently aprisoner at the CCA Immigration Detention Facility Diego, California, and awaiting deportation to Belize. Black letter to the Department of Homeland Security in San Diego advising had information regarding captioned subject and others. U! On May 6 2004, I based on the letter is in San mailed a he was interviewed he se ' at the U.S. ICE SAC Office, San Diego, California, byTi::ii:?:?fii??ft FBI, and Steve Schultz, DHS ICE. After advising the nature of identities of the interview,[:::::]vo1untarily possessed regarding , U the interviewing agents and the provided the information he Mohdar Abdullah: While at the CCA Detention Facility, San Diego, California ecame acquainted several with indiyidgglshq to in lude [::::::jwas assignedto acell room next to the above mentioned inmates in theafriendship isolationtypeunit of the facility. Through daily contact ;;;;;F relationship with Mohdar Abdullah and Because ofthis bond, Mohdar participated began telling[::::]of his invo vement with two of the hijackers who in the terrorist began attacks on September ll, 2001. [:::::]supported Mo ry by concurring when[::::::Fepeated Mohdar s toTfif:i:7 stories F of the UM [::::::]also toldE;::;l Mohdar knewindependent what the intentions prior to t e aacks. This was of hijackers were Mohdar s claims. stated the hijackers spent how time he knewthethis, to which[::;::] at apartment sared aot o their bv Lh landEhe apartment ad used as abase should be noted, investigation mentioned above as Nawaf two of attack into the hijackers Al on Flight others. felt activity. thehijackers for their terrorist It previously identified Hamza and Khalid Al 77 who participated in the Pentagon. s§Bé§T 2 the hijackers Midhar, who they were the terrorist s@@'r nterterrorism From: San Diego 3l5N SD-64663 Pending!, U! During close daily that after of the O5/17/2004 the time period of September or October, 2003, contact with the hijackers Mohdar became aware hijackers intention to carry out an attack before the attacks occurred on September ll, 2001. The hijackers had also invited Mohdar to join them on the airplane and participate in the attack. Mohdar knew the attack would consist of an airplane flying into a building, however, Mohdar stated he did not know which building. Mohdar l ' exp aine dh e lnl ' 't' la y ll t me e California, th h" in 2000. regarding above. the did details regarding the a ijac er k s did not a at M give an se o qu San Die o 1'n g further specific details not give[::f:::}urther specific ove. U! Mohdar explained to[:::::]the motive why the hijackers carried out the terrorist States on September 11. the United States wished countries of attack against to take the world. States would control over Islam from culture to of the were Muslims They believed then eliminate their Western the people The hijackers all the that the people of and s Mohdar tol the United States were United States would not deport him so he read about the hijackers had against United States policy. said contradict himself by stating how messed up the state how b6 big bl" the United the hatred Mohdar would and later that Muslim these countries these countries. United who believed much he, peop e of Mohdar, wished could remain living the in the United States. U! Mohdar told[:::::]he first learned ofthe terrorist plot from the hijackers during a dinner at California. The meeting took place after attended prayer at a Mosque in San Diego. identified. Mohdar and the hijackers were to the restaurant by was L originally from Mohdar saw asked for hijackers to SomaIiaLJ in the ri t at the meeting same meeting, their lease country. the Mosque e. agreed the restaurant. U{::::::] could in San Diego, the hijackers was not 4 the Mosque At the time, Iin San Dieqoj was that outside restaurant where during the remainder of a restaurant Mohdar and The Mosque driven from an too Mohdar and and the not provide the name or the location for took place. Mohdar also the hijackers wanted Mohdar at the hijackers apartment. the mentioned that to take Mohdar over the did not mention thename orlocation of the apartmentto[:::::] however, it was s :!éE'.r 3 s$§E'r To: Co nterterrorism From: San Diego Re: J sg315N-SD-64663 Pending!, 05/17/2004 U! understood it was where the hijackers lived while in San Diego. Mohdar did not mention why the hijackers were moving out of the apartment [:::::f:::::] had moved the intoapartment.A I earl or how much time was left on the lease U! Mohdaralso told[:::::]he several false identification cards Park where names from hijackers from near McArthur the unknown that helped thehijackers obtain with false individual. Mohdar drove the in Los Angeles, California, near Huntington Mohdar stated an unknown San Diego to an Park and a second individual was cards. Mohdar purchased approximately four or California Department of Motor Vehicle identification area location selling the five fraudulent cards and gave Ethetifrds the to hijackers. No further information given was to about the above. U! Black learned that Mohdar hadaske [:;;::::::]to provide him, Mohdar, with legal papers letters or stating e person named on the letter was from Somalia. As mentioned above b6 Ib7C 107D witnessed any of the provide any people named in the further information letters. about the could letters or not ow Mohdar used the letters. U! [:::::]stated Mohdar was born in Italy but raised in Yemen. Mohdar claimed to be a citizen of Italy. Mohdar also lived in Saudi Arabia and Algeria. Mohdar has always had the wish of becoming a citizen of Saudia Arabia. Note, prior investigation has shown that Mohdar was born in Yemen. U! Afterthis initial interview ofL;:;:;;Lfurther checks revealed that on February Zl, 2003,[:g::::hail ter to the San Diego Division, Center, stating had dreams while he he had about a was in custo y premonitions about at the San Diego future terrorist battleship being sunk while Detention attacks. there were lots of E:;;;;;grs on board, sending panic throughout the country. At the same time that was happening, the nation's busiest air ort identified by [::::::hs beingin Memphis,was being targeted. [:f:::jemphasized that he has had this necessary at same dream on two occasions. No that time. or A 4 action was deemed s 9£§T To: o terterrorism From: Re: , San Diego 315w-sn-64653 Pending!, 05/17/2004 T.TJ b6 - b7c b7n / U! Checks alsoshowed that[::::] has a criminal history ranging from bank robbery to sale substance. [::::::pdvised U! Case Detention Facility and distribution the interviewing agents requested to make contact wit of controlled agents he personnel from had previously the CCA Immigration and ask himthe ifhe wasbutamenable toan iEEg;;;g%;% 5555£:]respon be request wanted his attorney present. b7C positive to SA[::::::]contactedL::;;;:;;Aattorney which ininterview she said she was in agreement, howeve , ted to discuss the with her office. She works SA E::::::]was for the San Diego later notified that her Public Defenders office was Office. not in agreement with case agents interviewing Abdoun. It should be noted that Mohdar Abdullah is also being represented by the San Diego Public Defenders Office. Abdul1ah s attorney is Jason Ser. The San Diego OUSA is inquiring as to aconflict of interest by the attorney's at San Diego Public Defenders Office. U! On May 14, 2004, apolygraph examination was administered toL:::;;:] Refer to polygrap' port. the It wasthe opinion theofan iego paleographer thaaEf:f;fTdid shownot deception. The results will be evaluated yt FBIHQ. After the polygraph examination, afollow was conducted by case agents.[::::::]stated that October 2003, Mohdar made the statement that he, going to be an attack on the United States attacks occurred. Mohdar made this statement close group of inmates while they were out The unit Mohdar so they and the would routinely other inmates have the were yard to s §énT 5 e polygraph unit at up interview of[:::::] in September or Mohdar, knew there was three weeks before the in the presence of a in the day yard area of CCA. in was the isolation themselves. Mohdar unit, and the séb éw To: Sggpterterrorism From: San Diego b6 Re : y, 3l5N SD-64663 Pending!, 05/17/2004 $1 U? others felt was no guards comfortable saying or oth r' ates anything while in the in close proximity to yard because overhear any there of C D their conversations.T::if?] said Mohdar this statementbeing of forewarned weeks in advance three in made the company I oi land U! re interviewed as to how he was obtained Mohdar the above mentio and . an Mohdar andl I and had particular dates provided, for approximately two Mohdar,[::::::::::::::]were not built inmates arapport participation came numerous conversations, very open as agroup the CCA. with information. before the about through no years at details of cell talks The Mohdar's and talks out in the yard. U! It shou ld be notedthad[:::::]does not knowifthe above mentioned statements andinsinuations are true aboutMohdar, but again confirmed that he statements, par ilar was present when Mohdar the statement of him made numerous being forewarned 9/ll attacks. Ef:f ] could not judge ifMohdar made the st order to of the in impress or elevate his status with other inmates. said of the statements were brought up in conversation y with Mohdar just acknowledging the statements. Mohdar never estatements about his involvement and kn ledge of the attacks. Mohdar madestatement the in frontof[:ift]that Mohdar, he, enie surprised when was not September ll, he saw the attacks U! I hijackers participating in the hear this up again meeting taking pace on television on 2001. topic brought mentioned above, arestaurant mentioned that in San bombing of in the that Mohdar was awareof the the USS Cole. E:::::]did presence of Mohdar or not others. that Mohdar learned of the USSCole at the where Mohdar had dinner Diego. However, there was afourth during this person at with the hijackers at re interview,[:::::] the restaurant. The unknown lessons person was described as an individual who was taking provide in Arizona, no further information. [:::::::::::]did any further information regarding Mohdar's knowledge bombing of the USS Cole. It should be noted previous investigation placed Hani Hanjour attend a flight school hijacker on in San Diego to in Arizona. pick up Nawaf Hanjour was Flight 77. s yésr 6 A1 Hamzi identified as flight not of the in order another to sE> E'r To: ounterterrorism Re: K315N SD-64663 From: San Diego Pending!, O5/17/2004 EU?! U! During the interviewof [:::::]he advised thata fellow m named I n was aware of the above information [i::i% provided case the agents. believes[£::::::]would be able. to validate [repeated 3 times] information. A that is currently an check with inmate at t a U.S. e DHS ICE revealed Prison in Atlanta, Georgia. - U! It should be noted the ICE recordsnot do reveal£;;:::::] was in the San Diego area at any time. Nevertheless[::::::Asta [:::::;:]was an inmate the in isolation unit atCCA during t etime perio of March/April 2003 to February 2004. U! Data base checks described[::::::] as follows: I136 b7c Currently in Federal custody: U.S.P. Atlanta 601 McDonald Inmate number Boulevard Atlanta, Georgia SE94§T 7 i_i.i.______.__ 30315 ' I _s k sr To: ou terterrorism From: Re: 1 San Diego. 3l5N SD 64663 Pending!, ma 05/17/2004 I LEAD s!: Set Lead 1:Info! COUNTERTERRORISM AT WASHINGTON U! For D.C. information only. LEAD s!: Set Lead 2: Action! ATLANTA AT ATLANTA, GEORGIA . U! Contact b6 b7C prison officials at U arrange interview an ofrg Boulevard, Atlanta, Geor ia, 30315, telephone number S.P. Atlanta, 601 McDonald I Verify withl qmmm 404-635-5100 and time in the isolation unit at CCA in San Diego, California. nquire as to his acquaintance with Mohdar Abdullah and others. Inquire if he can provide any information related to Mohdar's relationship with the two hijackers on Fli ht 77. Attempt to verify the statements mentioned above. Protec{:%:::::] relationship with FBI San Diego. Show photo's tqipf Mohdar Abdullah] I LEAD s!: Set Lead 3:Info! LOS ANGELES AT LOS U! For ANGELES, CALIFORNIA information only. O0 s bqpw 8