Global Airport News
An Islamist who worked as a British Airways computer expert was found guilty on Monday of plotting with U.S.-born extremist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki to blow up an airplane in an attack intended to kill hundreds of people.
by blowing up a plane bound for the United States.
Rajib Karim, 31, used his position to plot an attack with Anwar al-Awlaki, a militant known to be associated with al Qaeda, London's Woolwich Crown Court heard. The jury found him guilty of four counts of engaging in preparation for terrorist attacks. He had already pleaded guilty to five other terrorism offenses, but denied plotting an attack in Britain.
Karim plotted to blow up an aircraft in a spectacular attack, shared information of use to al-Awlaki — one of the world's most wanted men — offered to help financial or disruptive attacks on BA and gained a British job to exploit terrorist purposes, the jurors ruled.
"The most chilling element of this case is probably the fact that Karim tried to enroll as cabin crew and anyone can imagine how horrific the consequences of this could have been, had he succeeded," Colin Gibbs (Lawyer for the prosecution) said.
Home Secretary Theresa May said: "The fact that Karim has been found guilty of such a heinous plot shows why we will never be complacent.
"I want to thank the police and the security service for their hard work in this complex case. We know that we face a serious threat from terrorism and national security remains this government's top priority."
Karim is due to be sentenced on March 18.
Last year, Britain's top law enforcement official cited Karim's case as proof that al-Qaida's offshoot in Yemen, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, was attempting attacks on U.K. and U.S.
