FBI agents have arrested at least seven people in Miami who reportedly plotted to attack the Chicago Sears Tower skyscraper, according to official statements and news reports.
The arrests on Thursday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with federal, state and local authorities were ”part of an ongoing investigation into a terrorist-related matter,” the US attorney’s office in Miami said in a statement.
Media reports citing unnamed officials said seven people — five US citizens and two foreigners, including a Haitian — were arrested for plotting to attack the 110-story, 442m Sears Tower, the world’s third tallest building, as well as other buildings in Miami.
Another person was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia as well, according to television reports.
ABC television said the group had been infiltrated by an FBI agent posing as an Islamic radical.
”The individuals arrested posed no immediate threat to our community,” the US attorney statement said.
Earlier, FBI director Robert Mueller told CNN television that operations were still taking place.
”I can tell you that we do have an ongoing operation in Miami. We are conducting a number of arrests and searches and we’ll have more about that when the operation is concluded, probably [Friday] morning,” Mueller said.
”Because it’s an ongoing operation, I really can’t get into details. But whenever we undertake an operation like this, we would not do it without the approval of a judge. We’ve got search warrants and arrest warrants and the like,” Mueller said.
The US Justice Department was planning to announce details of the plot at a press conference on Friday.
The arrests took place in Liberty City, a poor neighbourhood north of Miami, according to local and national media.
Residents said that the men who were arrested appeared to be part of a cult of at least a dozen people, sleeping in a warehouse, dressing in military-like clothing and doing exercises.
CNN late on Wednesday interviewed in Liberty City a member of the organisation.
Brother Cory, as the black man with dreadlocks called himself, said he belonged to ”cs of David,” repeatedly denying it was a terrorist group or that it had any ties to al-Qaeda.
”We are not terrorists … We study and believe in the word of God. This is a place where we worship,” Cory said.
He refused to provide the names of those arrested, insisting his group was a religious organisation: ”We study Allah and the worship of the regular Bible.” He said it was trying to raise bail money for the Haitian member who was arrested.
Cory also said his group had connections in Chicago. ”We have soldiers in Chicago,” he said clarifying that by soldier he meant: ”We train through the Bible … not only physical but mentally.”
Southern Florida has previous links to terrorism: several of those taking part in the September 11 2001 attacks lived and took flying lessons in the region prior to carrying out their plot to hijack planes and fly them into the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington.
The arrests came as Miami authorities expected more than 100 000 people to flock into the streets to celebrate the victory of the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association championship two days earlier.
”Law enforcement have things under control, go and enjoy the parade,” declared Miami Mayor Carlos Alvarez. – AFP
