Customs Blocked Accused Suicide Bomber

[sabra]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5230732,00.html

Customs Blocked Accused Suicide Bomber

Wednesday August 24, 2005 6:01 PM

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Customs authorities blocked a Jordanian man from entering the country 20 months before he was accused of carrying out an Iraq suicide bombing, according to an internal Homeland Security memo obtained Wednesday.

The Aug. 22 memo to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff credited Customs agents with identifying Ra'ed Mansour al-Banna as a suspicious traveler on June 14, 2003, when he flew into Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

``While it is not clear that al-Banna was a suicidal jihadist, the basis for denying him entry was that CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officers that interviewed him believed his intent for entering ... was inconsistent with the purpose of his visa,'' wrote Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner.

Al-Banna has been accused of carrying out one of Iraq's deadliest suicide bombing - the Feb. 28 attack in Hillah that killed 125 people.

[Deja Q]

1. If he's accused of CARRYING OUT a suicide bombing...

just how in halliburton can the guy still be LIVING and WALKING to be so quickly arrested?

Man, that was badly worded...

[Igel]

2. It says he was arrested after the suicide bombing?

I think you misread it, or they edited the online article after you posted.

[qnr]

3. Bombing in 2005, attempted crossing in 2003 n/t