Complete Coverage:

Complete Coverage:
Ft. Hood Shootings

°

Homepage / Detroit Local News
Text Size

Terror Trial: Agent Talks About Day Planner Drawings

Sketch Illustrates Planes, Runway, Bunkers, FBI Says

POSTED: Monday, March 31, 2003

Testimony has resumed in the trial of four men accused of acting as a "sleeper" terrorist cell.

A federal agent testified Monday that drawings of airplanes immediately caught her attention as she flipped through a day planner found in an apartment where three of the four men lived.

Video

Karim Koubriti, 24, Ahmed Hannan, 34, Farouk Ali-Haimoud, 22, and Abdel-Ilah Elmardoudi, 37, are charged with conspiracy to provide material support or resources to terrorists.

Defense attorneys argued to the Detroit federal courtroom that the men came to the United States to live the American dream, but ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Prosecutors believe the suspects were organizing a terror plot, and sending money overseas to support terrorist activity, Local 4 reported.

FBI Special Agent Mary Ann Manescu said Monday that the day planner also contained a sketch that the government claims illustrates planes, a runway and a bunker at a United States air base.

The day planner also reportedly contained overseas targets. A star witness is expected to testify that the men were plotting attacks at popular vacation spots such as Walt Disney World and Las Vegas, Local 4 reported.

Video and audio tapes confiscated from the home contained information on those two destinations, according to authorities.

Defense attorneys said the day planner belonged to a former occupant of the home who was mentally ill and had commited suicide. They argued that the prosecution's witness is a career criminal looking for an early release from prison.

A jury of 12 women and four men will determine if the evidence links the suspects to involvement in a terrorist plot.

It's the first trial in the United States for an alleged terror cell detected after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Hot Topics

All 4 Halloween
Friday Football Frenzy - High School Football Highlights
Links We Like
Sponsored Content
You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More

Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More

Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More

If you're looking to save on your next new vehicle, a low sticker price is just one aspect. Consider all the costs and make the right decision. More

Hot Shots!

Fantastics Fall Colors
Share your Hot Shots of fantastic fall colors from Michigan's one of a kind tree lines to pumpkin patches!
More
Slideshow: Fall Colors

High School Football Highlights
Send us your Hot Shot photos of football action. Once your Hot Shot gets posted, show it off to all of your friends!
More

Slideshow: Football Frenzy Hot Shots

Sponsored Links

On Local 4

Days Of Our Lives
NBC’s daytime drama “Days of our Lives” will hold its first ever talent and fan search in Detroit at the MGM Grand on Friday, Nov.13 and Saturday, Nov. 14. More

www.DaysOfOurLives.com

See how a local middle school student stopped the bullies cold without a punch! She used simple body language tricks that we'll show your kids how to do.

Morning Home Delivery From Click On Detroit and Local 4 News

Most Popular

Question Of The Day

Have you ever gone onto Facebook or other social networks at work?