A Norwegian convert to Islam who was trained by al-Qaeda in Yemen is awaiting orders to attack an unspecified Western target, European security officials tell the Associated Press.
After converting to Islam in 2008, he quickly became radicalized and traveled to Yemen to receive terror training, one of the officials said. The man spent “some months” in Yemen and is still believed to be there, he said.
The official said the man has no criminal record, which would also make him an ideal recruit for al-Qaida.
“Not even a parking ticket,” he said. “He’s completely clean and he can travel anywhere.”“We believe he is operational and he is probably about to get his target,” one official said. “And that target is probably in the West.”
Another official said, “From what I understand, a specific target has not been established.”
The officials would not say exactly why they believe that the man is operational or when an attack might happen.
Officials from Norway’s security services and the U.S. FBI and CIA would not comment.
Original post: European security officials tell the Associated Press that a Norwegian convert to Islam who was trained by al-Qaeda in Yemen is awaiting orders to attack a Western target.
Anonymous officials from three European security agencies confirmed today that the man in his 30s who converted to Islam four years ago is “operational.”
The AP writes that “Western intelligence officials have long feared such a scenario: a convert to Islam trained in terrorist methods who can blend in easily in Europe and the United States and travel without visa restrictions.”
SOURCE:USA TODAY
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