By Zack Sampson, News Staff
Rezwan Ferdaus, a 2008 Northeastern graduate, was arrested yesterday for plotting to attack the Pentagon and US Capitol with C-4 explosive-packed remote controlled aircraft, according to a press release issued by U.S. District Attorney for Massachusetts Carmen M. Ortiz.
“In recorded conversations with the [cooperating witness] that began in January 2011, Ferdaus stated that he planned to attack the Pentagon using aircraft similar to ‘small drone airplanes’ filled with explosives and guided by GPS equipment,” the release said.
Ferdaus, 26, added in April an attack on the US Capitol to his plan.
“In May and June 2011, Ferdaus delivered two thumb drives to the [undercover FBI employees], which contained detailed attack plans with step-by-step instructions as to how he planned to attack the Pentagon and Capitol,” the release said. “The plans included using three remote controlled aircraft and six people, including himself whom he described as an ‘amir,’ i.e., an Arabic term meaning leader.”
Ferdaus was taken into custody yesterday at a storage unit he rented in Framingham under a false name after meeting with undercover FBI workers, according to the release. During the meeting, the FBI agents allowed him to inspect 25 pounds of C-4 explosives, three grenades and six AK-47 assault rifles that he had requested for the attack. After he looked them over, Ferdaus took the weapons and explosives and locked them in his storage unit and was promptly arrested.
Ferdaus received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Northeastern in 2008.
In a widely reported statement issued Wednesday, the university said, “We have more than 200,000 alumni living and working around the world. It is inappropriate for the university to comment on a pending investigation involving one of its graduates.”
The suspected terrorist lived in Ashland and allegedly started planning to commit a violent “jihad” against the US in early 2010. According to the release, he gave mobile phones modified to act as electrical switches for improvised explosive devices (IED) to FBI employees who he thought were al-Qaeda recruiters.
“During a June 2011 meeting, he appeared gratified when he was told that his first phone detonation device had killed three US soldiers and injured four or five others in Iraq,” the release read. “Ferdaus responded, ‘That was exactly what I wanted.’”
Ferdaus had multiple meetings with the undercover FBI employees and was given opportunities to back out, according to the release. But he confided that there was “no other choice” for him and he wanted to cause a large “psychological impact” by killing Americans, who he considered “enemies of Allah.”
The press release further indicates that federal employees said they told Ferdaus that his attack would likely kill women and children, but he still “never wavered.”
In May, Ferdaus traveled from Boston to Washington, D.C. to take surveillance photographs of the Pentagon and Capitol, the release said. After returning to Ashland from this trip, he reportedly told the agents that he needed to expand his plan to include a ground assault with six armed people.
The release described how Furdaus said he and others would initiate the aerial plan and isolate individuals from the buildings so they would “be vulnerable” and the attack group could “dominate.” He said during the chaotic attack he planned to “open up” on his victims, “keep firing,” and “take out” everyone.
Ferdaus was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, specifically to al-Qaeda, in order to carry out attacks on US soldiers stationed overseas.
According to Ortiz’s release, Ferdaus faces up to 15 years in prison for providing material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization charge. Ferdaus could also serve up to 20 years in prison on a charge of attempting to destroy national defense premises and could face a five year minimum mandatory prison sentence on the charge of attempting to damage and destroy buildings that are owned by the United States by using an explosive.
On each charge Ferdaus additionally faces up to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
