Conspiracy To Assassinate President Bush

Ahmed Omar Abu Ali was charged today with conspiring to assassinate President Bush and conspiracy to support the Al Qaeda terrorist network. The indictment said that in 2002 and 2003 Abu Ali and an unidentified coconspirator discussed plans for Abu Ali to assassinate Bush. Abu Ali is charged with six counts and would face a maximum of 80 years in prison if convicted.

Abu Ali had been arrested and detained in Saudi Arabia after the May 2003 bombings in Riyadh, which killed 23 people, including nine Americans. A recent demand by the U.S. government to the Saudis to either charge Abu Ali or release him to the U.S, led to the transfer of custody.

Federal prosecutors have previously alleged Abu Ali had a relationship with some members of what has been called the "Virginia jihad network," whose members were charged with providing material support to a terrorist organization.

More than 100 supporters of Abu Ali crowded the courtroom and laughed when the charge was read aloud alleging that he conspired to assassinate Bush.

Abu Ali, a 23 year old U.S. citizen, made an initial appearance today in U.S. District Court. He claimed that he was tortured while detained in Saudi Arabia since June of 2003 and offered through his lawyer to show the judge his scars. Ali was a former high school valedictorian in Virginia.

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