Associated Press 27/01/2010

NEW YORK – Lawyers for a Pakistani scientist accused of shooting at U.S. Army personnel in Afghanistan asked a judge Tuesday to stop her from testifying, saying her "diminished capacity" would result in a "painful spectacle indeed."

Lawyers for Aafia Siddiqui said verbally and in a letter to Judge Richard M. Berman that the 37-year-old Pakistani scientist should not be allowed to testify when the defense case begins Wednesday despite her repeated stated desire to do so. Prosecutors declined to immediately comment on their opinion regarding the request.

Siddiqui's trial, which began with opening statements last week, has featured repeated outbursts by Siddiqui in which she decries the court proceedings as unfair and challenges the testimony of government witnesses. She has been escorted from court several times.

Siddiqui's lawyers said there is precedent for denying the right to testify to a defendant who has been disruptive in court and who intends to testify about issues that are not relevant to the charges.

The lawyers wrote that their client's desire to testify "are driven by an irrational and delusional belief that she can convince listeners that she can bring world peace."

Read more

IANS 26/01/2010

The Yemen-based Al Qaeda group has formed a women's brigade of "non Arab" suicide bombers as part of its new tactic to attack western targets, anti-terror experts said.

It was "inevitable" that Al Qaeda would eventually turn to using women with a western appearance to carry out suicide attacks.

Airliners and all forms of transport could be targeted as well as sports stadium, ports and power stations, the Daily Telegraph reported quoting security Officials.

The women, who may have a "non Arab" appearance and be travelling on Western passports, have been prepared for their missions by the Yemeni group.

US law enforcement agents have been told to be on the lookout for female suicide bombers who may attempt to enter the country.

Read more

Associated Press 26/01/2010

SANTA ANA, California A California man who said he spied on mosques for the FBI has filed a lawsuit accusing the agency of letting him go to jail for work he did as an informant.

Craig Monteilh, 47, of Irvine, a fitness consultant, is seeking $10 million from the FBI in a lawsuit filed Friday in federal court in Los Angeles. Monteilh also sued the Irvine Police Department.

Monteilh said he infiltrated mosques for the FBI and gave the agency information about Ahmadullah Niazi, the brother-in-law of Osama bin Laden's bodyguard who pleaded not guilty last year to lying about terrorist ties on his citizenship papers.

But Monteilh said federal and local authorities let him serve time on a theft case related to prior work he did for the FBI and barred him from telling the court he was an undercover informant to clear his name.

"That right there deprived me and violated my right to due process," Monteilh said. "The FBI here is dead in the water. We can prove everything we've alleged by subpoenaing these records."

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the agency would respond to the allegations in court. Monteilh appeared to be aiming to discredit law enforcement for personal gain, she said.

Read more

The National (Abu Dhabi) 26/01/2010

The audio message recently released in which Osama bin Laden endorsed the failed attempt to blow up a US airliner is important in terms of its content and timing, noted the London-based newspaper Al Quds Al Arabi in its editorial.

“First, it is the first time the al Qa’eda leader addressed the US president on an equal basis. The message was titled from Osama to Obama. Second, assuming responsibility over the attempt means al Qa’eda had trained the Nigerian student and similar attacks would be attempted in the future.”

Third, linking the terrorist attack with the miserable conditions of Palestinians in Gaza gives al Qa’eda every reason now to take advantage of the growing desperate public feelings in the Arab world. This could empower Palestinian militant groups who are the ideological allies of al Qa’eda.

Fourth, the release of the tape coincided with the failure of the US special envoy to the Middle East in striking a peace deal, and with preparations to hold special conferences on Yemen and Afghanistan in London by the end of this month.

Bin Laden would clearly like to tell to the world that his organisation is still capable of challenging western security measures.

Read more