CHICAGO, April 30 (UPI) -- Federal authorities Tuesday arrested the head of a suburban charity for alleged ties to terrorism.
Enaam M. Arnaout, executive director of the Benevolence International Foundation of Palos Hills, Ill., was charged with perjury for allegedly lying in federal court documents about links to international terrorism.
Arnaout, 39, of Justice, Ill., is a Syrian-born naturalized citizen who is also known as Abu Mahmoud and Abdel Samia. U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said the FBI arrested Arnaout at his home Tuesday morning.
The charges accuse Arnaout and the foundation of lying under oath in a federal civil lawsuit currently pending against U.S. government officials. Specifically at issue are the charity's denials of providing "aid and support to people or organizations known to be engaged in violence, terrorist activities or military operations."
"The complaint alleges that the Benevolence International Foundation was supporting violence secretly," Fitzgerald said. "It is important that those who support terrorism covertly and those who obstruct court proceedings will be investigated and prosecuted."
A 35-page FBI affidavit alleges Arnaout has a relationship with Osama bin Laden and many of his key associates, dating back more than a decade; that the foundation is used by bin Laden's al Qaida terrorists for logistical support; that terrorists attempting to obtain chemical and nuclear weapons on behalf of al Qaida have contacts with the foundation and its office personnel; and that the foundation has had direct dealings with Chechen rebels, providing them with military support, money and equipment.
The complaint alleges Arnaout was so close to bin Laden he was entrusted to take care of the reputed terrorist leader's wives in 1979. The complaint also alleges firearms, explosives and fraudulent passports were among the items found in foundation offices raided in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The foundation allegedly provided documentation for key bin Laden associate Mamdouh Salim, identifying him as a charity official; helped Mohamed Bayazid, who attempted to obtain uranium for al Qaida, obtain an Illinois driver's license; had contacts with bin Laden's brother-in-law, Mohamad Jamal Khalifa, who has been closely linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing terrorists; and received requests for money from Wali Khan Amin Shah, a key participant in a plot in the Philippines to bomb 12 airliners over American cities in 1994 as well as a plot to assassinate the pope.
The foundation allegedly sent $685,560 to Chechen rebels between January and April 2000.
The FBI searched the foundation's southwest suburban offices Dec. 14. Agents said they found documents concerning the use of small pox as a biological weapon. The FBI also searched Arnaout's office in Palos Hills and his home in Newark, N.J.
The government blocked the charity's assets and on Jan. 30 the foundation filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to overturn the government action.
In seeking the court order Arnaout maintained, "I have no idea or understanding as to why the government has taken these actions against BIF."
