The Bobster
Senior News Editor since 2004
https://nypost.com/2020/08/14/radical-islamic-cleric-extradited-to-nyc-amid-terror-charges/
Radical cleric held without bail in Manhattan for ‘trying to recruit NYPD cop’
By Rebecca Rosenberg
August 14, 2020 | 2:28pm | Updated
A radical Islamic cleric was ordered held without bail in Manhattan on Friday — after encouraging a female undercover NYPD cop to carry out terror attacks, authorities said.
Shaikh Abdullah Faisal, 56, pleaded not guilty to five counts — including conspiracy as a crime of terrorism, soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism and other raps.
At the prosecution’s request, Justice Maxwell Wiley ordered Faisal held in custody without bail.
Faisal was arrested in 2017 in Jamaica and finally brought to New York on Thursday after fighting extradition.
The militant cleric — born Trevor William Forrest — allegedly communicated with a female undercover NYPD officer by e-mail, text and video chat to encourage her to join ISIS and carry out attacks abroad from 2015 to 2017.
“The indictment and arrest of Shaikh Faisal nearly three years ago put a stop to the prolific, radical Islamic propaganda and terror recruitment alleged in this case – delivering a major blow to ISIS’ overall recruitment capabilities,” said District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. in a statement.
“The effects of his arrest have been felt across the counterterrorism community worldwide, which has gained actionable intelligence thanks to our seizure of numerous electronics from his home.”
A popular online figure, Faisal has overtly supported ISIS and the establishment of an Islamic caliphate through violent jihad.
In one of his online lectures, he declared, “The way forward is not the ballot. The way forward is the bullet,” according to the indictment.
In recorded conversations with the undercover cop, Faisal encouraged her to take a Muslim groom and offered to arrange the marriage for her.
On Jan. 26, 2015, Faisal sent the undercover an e-mail stating, “a brother in the dawla wants to interview u for marriage. Pls whatsapp him,” court papers allege.
“Abdullah El Faisal has spent two decades inspiring the terrorists behind plots and attacks in London, New York, and onboard airplanes in flight,” said NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea in a statement.
The NYPD and Manhattan DA began their pursuit of Faisal in 2014.
Faisal was previously convicted of similar charges in England for inciting murder and using inflammatory language “in furtherance of terrorist ideologies,” according to prosecutors.
He’s due back in Manhattan Supreme Court on Oct. 7.
Radical cleric held without bail in Manhattan for ‘trying to recruit NYPD cop’
By Rebecca Rosenberg
August 14, 2020 | 2:28pm | Updated
A radical Islamic cleric was ordered held without bail in Manhattan on Friday — after encouraging a female undercover NYPD cop to carry out terror attacks, authorities said.
Shaikh Abdullah Faisal, 56, pleaded not guilty to five counts — including conspiracy as a crime of terrorism, soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism and other raps.
At the prosecution’s request, Justice Maxwell Wiley ordered Faisal held in custody without bail.
Faisal was arrested in 2017 in Jamaica and finally brought to New York on Thursday after fighting extradition.
The militant cleric — born Trevor William Forrest — allegedly communicated with a female undercover NYPD officer by e-mail, text and video chat to encourage her to join ISIS and carry out attacks abroad from 2015 to 2017.
“The indictment and arrest of Shaikh Faisal nearly three years ago put a stop to the prolific, radical Islamic propaganda and terror recruitment alleged in this case – delivering a major blow to ISIS’ overall recruitment capabilities,” said District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. in a statement.
“The effects of his arrest have been felt across the counterterrorism community worldwide, which has gained actionable intelligence thanks to our seizure of numerous electronics from his home.”
A popular online figure, Faisal has overtly supported ISIS and the establishment of an Islamic caliphate through violent jihad.
In one of his online lectures, he declared, “The way forward is not the ballot. The way forward is the bullet,” according to the indictment.
In recorded conversations with the undercover cop, Faisal encouraged her to take a Muslim groom and offered to arrange the marriage for her.
On Jan. 26, 2015, Faisal sent the undercover an e-mail stating, “a brother in the dawla wants to interview u for marriage. Pls whatsapp him,” court papers allege.
“Abdullah El Faisal has spent two decades inspiring the terrorists behind plots and attacks in London, New York, and onboard airplanes in flight,” said NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea in a statement.
The NYPD and Manhattan DA began their pursuit of Faisal in 2014.
Faisal was previously convicted of similar charges in England for inciting murder and using inflammatory language “in furtherance of terrorist ideologies,” according to prosecutors.
He’s due back in Manhattan Supreme Court on Oct. 7.