20-yr-old Saudi held for plotting attacks in US

A 20-year-old Saudi student has been arrested and charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for plotting to build bombs and carry out terrorist attacks in the US, targetting nuclear power plants and residence of former President George Bush.

Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, a Saudi citizen and Texas resident, attempted to "use a weapon of mass destruction" and researched online on how to construct an improvised explosive device using several chemicals as ingredients.

According to the criminal complaint unsealed on Thursday, Aldawsari conducted research on potential terror targets in the US including hydroelectric dams, nuclear power plants and the Dallas address for former President Bush.

Aldawsari had acquired most of the ingredients and equipment necessary to construct the explosive devices. He is expected to appear in federal court later on Friday.

He came to the US in 2008 on a student visa and is enrolled at South Plains College near Lubbock, Texas.

He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.

One of the e-mails he sent to himself had the subject line 'Targets' and contained names and home addresses of three American citizens who had previously served in the US military and had been stationed for a time at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

In another e-mail titled 'Nice Targets 01', Aldawsari allegedly sent himself the names of 12 reservoir dams in Colorado and California while one e-mail titled 'Tyrant's House' had the Dallas address of Bush.

Aldawsari intended to use infant dolls to conceal explosives and plotted to target a nightclub with an explosive concealed in a backpack.

In addition, he allegedly described his desire for violent jihad and martyrdom in blog postings and a personal journal.

During searches at Aldawsari's residence, FBI agents also found a notebook, excerpts from which indicated that Aldawsari had been planning to commit a terrorist attack in the United States for years.

One entry describes how Aldawsari sought and obtained a particular scholarship because it allowed him to come directly to the United States and helped him financially, which he said "will help tremendously in providing me with the support I need for jihad."

"And now, after mastering the English language, learning how to build explosives and continuous planning to target the infidel Americans, it is time for jihad," the Saudi citizen wrote in his journal.

In another entry, Aldawsari wrote that he was near to reaching his goal and near to getting weapons to use against infidels and their helpers.

He also listed a "synopsis of important steps" that included obtaining a forged US birth certificate, renting a car, using different driver's licenses, putting bombs in cars and taking them to different places during rush hour and then leaving the city for a safe place.

The affidavit alleges that on February 1, 2011, a chemical supplier reported to the FBI that Aldawsari attempted to purchase concentrated phenol, a toxic chemical.

Aldawsari wanted to have the phenol order shipped to a freight company so it could be held for him there, but the freight company returned the order to the supplier and called the police.

Later, Aldawsari falsely told the supplier he was associated with a university and wanted the phenol for "off-campus, personal research."

Frustrated by questions being asked over his phenol order, Aldawsari cancelled his order and later e-mailed himself instructions for producing phenol.

Aldawsari also e-mailed himself instructions on how to convert a cellular phone into a remote detonator and how to prepare a booby-trapped vehicle using items available in every home.

One such e-mail contained a message stating that "one operation in the land of the infidels is equal to ten operations against occupying forces in the land of the Muslims."

During December 2010 and January 2011, Aldawsari allegedly purchased items like a gas mask, a Hazmat suit, a soldering iron kit, glass beakers and flasks, wiring, a stun gun, clocks and a battery tester.

The affidavit also alleges that Aldawsari created a blog in which he posted extremist messages.

In one posting, he expressed dissatisfaction with current conditions of Muslims and vowed jihad and martyrdom.

"You who created mankind... grant me martyrdom for Your sake and make jihad easy for me only in Your path," he wrote.