Feds: Yemen holds Lackawanna Six suspect

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BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A man who allegedly persuaded six young men from the Buffalo, N.Y., area to go to a terrorist training camp is in custody in Yemen, a federal prosecutor says.

U.S. Attorney Kathleen Mehltretter told the Buffalo News she would like to try Jaber Elbaneh in New York State. But Yemen has no extradition treaty with the United States.

Elbaneh, 43, of Lackawanna allegedly recruited the group known as the Lackawanna Six. Investigators believe he was in Yemen when they were arrested.

A cousin, Susan Elbaneh of Lackawanna was killed in a terrorist attack at the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon in 2008. The 18-year-old was in Yemen to be married, and authorities there said she was an innocent and unlucky victim of terrorism.

The Lackawanna Six traveled to Afghanistan in May 2001. They were arrested the next year in Buffalo and received prison sentences.