CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- A Pakistani immigrant held for months after a failed bombing in New York's Times Square says he believes the Taliban has committed crimes against humanity.
In an interview with the Boston Globe near his Maine home, Mohammad Shafiq ur Rahman said he was arrested because investigators mistakenly believed a former employer, a computer programming company with offices in the United States and Pakistan, sent money to insurgent groups. Rahman said the payments made by Systek, which has since gone out of business, were legitimate business transactions.
Rahman, who entered the United States on a work visa and is married to a U.S. citizen, was held on immigration charges after the May 1 bombing. He was released on bail last week.
Faisal Shahzad, a financial analyst, pleaded guilty to federal charges in June, admitting the bombing. Rahman said he knew him years ago through Systek's owner but did not like him.
Rahman said he believes terrorism is anti-Muslim.
"I have never been involved in any criminal activity, not even a speeding ticket,'' Rahman said. "I don't want to be associated with that group whose crimes are against humanity. I'm a human being.''
