KCRA : Bay Area Brothers Indicted On Terrorism-Related Charges

Bay Area Brothers Indicted On Terrorism-Related Charges

One Man Arrested; Second Man Remains At Large

August 3, 2007

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Two brothers were indicted Thursday on terrorism-related charges after one allegedly provided money and equipment to the other who was battling troops in the Philippines as a member of a terrorist group.

FBI agents arrested Rahmat Abdhir, 43, of San Jose, outside his office in Sunnyvale on Thursday morning, federal authorities said. His brother, Zulkifli Abdhir, 41, remains at large in the Philippines, and is wanted on a $5 million reward.

Both were charged in a 16-count indictment including conspiracy to support terrorists. Rahmat Abdhir also was charged with making false statements and contributing goods and services to a known terrorist, his brother.

It was unclear if Rahmat Abdhir had hired an attorney yet Thursday, said Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd.

Since 2003, Zulkifli Abdhir has been labeled by the U.S. government as a "specially designated global terrorist." Prosecutors said Zulkifli Abdhir provided regular reports to his brother of battles between Philippine troops and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a group the government said has ties to al-Qaida's regional affiliate, Jemaah Islamiyah.

Zulkifli Abdhir, a U.S.-trained engineer who is believed to be a member of Jemaah Islamiyah's central command, is also on the State Department's most-wanted list. Authorities believe he was involved in multiple deadly bombings in the Philippines.

Boyd said a third brother, Taufik bin Abdul Halim, is currently in jail in Indonesia for a 2001 bombing at a mall in Jakarta.

Federal prosecutors say the brothers communicated with each other in code in a scheme to have Rahmat Abdhir send his Philippine-based brother knives, two-way radios and backpacks. Their code included using the words "presents" and "prizes" for improvised explosive devices; "dogs" referred to government agents and "iron" for guns, according to the indictment.

Between June 2006 and this past June, Rahmat Abdhir sent his brother Colt .45 magazines, a rifle scope, camouflage clother and more than $10,000, according to the indictment.

If convicted on all counts, Rahmat Abdhir faces a maximum of life in prison, while Zulkifli Abdhir faces a maximum of 30 years.

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