Chicago Man Indicted on International Terrorism Charges

US – SOMALIA – TERRORISM

U.S. officials say a 26-year-old Chicago man has been indicted on terrorism charges for allegedly planning to travel to Somalia to join al-Shabab, a group affiliated with al-Qaida.

The Justice Department said Thursday Shaker Masri, a U.S. citizen, was indicted for trying to provide material support to a terrorist organization and trying to help those wanting to use weapons of mass destruction.

It said Masri hoped to join al-Shabab and commit a suicide attack.

Masri was arrested in August just hours before he was scheduled to leave Chicago for Somalia. He has been held since then without bail.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation says Masri began espousing what it called his increasingly violent views to an individual he befriended in 2009, talking about a desire to participate in a “jihad” and fight what he characterized as “infidels.”

The FBI said agents and electronic telephone surveillance were used in the investigation of Masri, which took 18 months.

If convicted on both counts, Masri faces up to 30 years in prison.

The State Department has designated al-Shabab a terrorist organization.