Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agents flew into Guyana earlier this week to “re-interview witnesses” in connection with the US government’s case against four men, including former PNCR MP Abdul Kadir, accused of plotting to blow up the JFK International Airport.
Crime Chief Seelal Persaud confirmed the presence of the agents yesterday. He told Stabroek News that the agents left yesterday after re-interviewing the witnesses.
An Associated Press report quoted Persaud as saying that the agents were looking to interview several people-including an opposition Georgetown city councilman, a businessman and several local Muslims-who allegedly had ties to the plot or had contact with the U.S. government informant whose testimony will be key to the case.
Former PNCR MP Kadir, fellow country man Abdel Nur along with US citizen Russell DeFreitas and the alleged mastermind, Trinidadian Kareem Ibrahim, have been slapped with conspiracy charges in an alleged plot to blow up the fuel tanks at the New York based Airport.
The four were arrested following information provided to the US authorities by a confidential source, who is a convicted drug trafficker and who is receiving financial assistance for information being provided. Authorities said the source has “provided extremely credible information that has been corroborated by consensual recordings, e-mails, financial documents, surveillance and other records and information.”
In March, the US government sought an anonymous jury, saying that DeFreitas had threatened to harm witnesses against him. It also cited the substantial media attention. State Attorney Benton Campbell had applied to presiding Judge Dora Irizarry for an anonymous jury to ensure a fair trial. The prosecution has also revealed that it will present evidence which shows that the suspects sought funding from wanted Saudi Arabian Adnan El Shukrijumah, who carries a Guyanese passport.
