Washington, D.C.
Federal prosecutors this week charged three men with plotting to attack financial institutions in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Investigators say the men—Dhiran Barot, Nadeem Tarmohammed, and Qaisar Shaffi—cased numerous buildings in 2000 and 2001, including the World Bank in Washington and the New York Stock Exchange. U.S. officials briefly raised the terrorism alert level in August, after the men were arrested on other charges in London. Barot is allegedly a high-ranking al Qaida figure, acting under direct orders from Osama bin Laden. New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the charges should send a warning. “You come here, you do this type of surveillance,” he said, “we’re not going to forget.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
