Feds: N.C. Terrorism Suspect Spoke Of Love For Jihad
Daniel Boyd is accused of being the ringleader of a group that was plotting terrorist attacks abroad.
Daniel Boyd is accused of being the ringleader of a group that was plotting terrorist attacks abroad.
An FBI official said Tuesday that the alleged leader of a terrorist group in North Carolina talked of fighting for Allah and despising the U.S. military presence at Muslim holy sites.
More than 100 family members and friends packed the courtroom Tuesday to support Daniel Boyd and six others, including two of his sons, at a bail hearing in Raleigh. The men were arrested last week and charged with planning a variety of terrorist acts abroad. Six of the men are U.S. citizens; another is a legal resident.
"Knowing Saifullah and his family, we know they are good people, they are really good people," said Carol Abuomar, referring to Boyd by his Muslim name. "They would do anything for anybody — Muslims and non-Muslims alike."
The government contends Boyd is the ringleader of the group. In testimony, FBI Special Agent Mike Sutton said the 39-year-old Boyd talked of loving jihad. Federal officials played several recordings of what they say was Boyd talking to his family and a witness. In one, Boyd is heard saying, "Muslims must be protected at all costs."
Scott Silliman, the director of Duke's Center of Law, Ethics and National Security, says it is understandable why homegrown terrorist groups come together. "It's this sort of religious rhetoric that is very, very influential, basically, on a young man who seems to be concerned about doing something in the world and becomes disenchanted with his life in the United States," Silliman says.
Many of the people who came to watch the proceedings were teenagers and young adults like Faraz Fareed, a University of North Carolina student. Fareed said two of his friends were in court; they were wearing orange jumpsuits and shackles.
"We're still waiting to see what credible evidence they have. ... As far as I know, it looks like they just got dragged into it," he said. "We'll see."
As the seven men marched out of the courtroom during a break from the bail hearing, one suspect shouted, "This is a setup!"
Legal experts say it could take a year for the trial to begin.
Leoneda Inge reports for member station WUNC in North Carolina.
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