LONDON, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Eight Arabic British citizens charged with plotting chemical and radioactive terror attacks made their first court appearances in London Wednesday.
The men were formally charged at London's high-security Belmarsh court with conspiracy to murder and planning to use radioactive materials, chemicals, toxic gases or conventional explosives in attacks on the United States, The Telegraph said.
One man is charged under the Terrorism Act with having reconnaissance plans, "which could have been used as a blueprint for an attack on financial institutions in the United States".
The plans are alleged to have involved the New York Stock Exchange, Citigroup in New York, the International Monetary Fund in Washington, and the Prudential Building in New Jersey.
U.S. Attorney General John D. Ashcroft said Tuesday he is considering filing U.S. criminal charges as well against the men, the Washington Post said.
In a statement, he said federal prosecutors "will explore every aspect of this case and evaluate whether additional charges, including potential charges in the United States, are appropriate."
