WASHINGTON, D.C. – The highest priority of the Department of Justice since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 has been to protect Americans by preventing acts of terrorism. The Department’s efforts include a number of successful prosecutions of criminal cases that result from international terrorism investigations.
Since the Sept. 11 attacks, and as of June 22, 2006, 261 defendants have been convicted or have pleaded guilty in terrorism or terrorism-related cases arising from investigations conducted primarily after Sept. 11, 2001. Those cases have an international connection, including certain investigations conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces and other cases involving individuals associated with international terrorists or Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
The charges in these terrorism or terrorism-related convictions include a variety of crimes, such as:
-terrorist acts abroad against U.S. nationals, terrorism transcending national boundaries
-hostage taking
-aircraft piracy
-conspiracy within the United States to murder, kidnap or main persons or damage property overseas
-providing material support to terrorists, providing material support to designated terrorist organizations
-prohibitions against financing of terrorism, violations of the International Emergency Economic Protection Act (IEEPA) harboring terrorists
-terrorist attacks against mass transportation systems use, possession and conspiracy involving biological, nuclear, chemical or other weapons of mass destruction
-conspiracy to conduct bombings of places of public use, government facilities, public transport systems and infrastructure
-participation in nuclear and weapons of mass destruction threats to the United States
-receiving military-type training from a foreign terrorist organization immigration, visa or document fraud
-false statements in connection with a terrorism investigation
In addition to these convictions, there are approximately 180 other defendants who have been charged since Sept. 11, 2001, in connection with terrorism or terrorism-related investigations. Those cases are either still pending in federal courts, or have not resulted in criminal convictions, such as acquittals or dismissals, or the defendants are fugitives or are awaiting extradition.
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