WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- A Pakistani man with close ties to the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks was charged with plotting against the United States, a commission said.
The Defense Department announced charges were filed against Pakistani national Majid Shoukat Kahn for allegedly joining al-Qaida to plot attacks against the United States, Indonesia and elsewhere.
Khan, detained at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison facility, allegedly conspired with self-confessed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to bomb underground storage tanks at gasoline stations in the United States.
The Defense Department alleges he also plotted to assassinate former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in a suicide operation that was thwarted when Musharraf failed to arrive.
In addition, he allegedly helped deliver funds to an Asian affiliate of al-Qaida, which used the money to finance an attack on a hotel in Indonesia in 2003.
Prosecutors said charges referred to a military commission won't carry the death penalty, meaning Khan faces a maximum life-in-prison term.
Khan lived in the United States from 1996 to early 2002 before returning to Pakistan. He's charged with conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, providing material support for terrorism and spying.
He was captured at in Pakistan in March 2003.
