DATE=8/29/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-219157
TITLE=U-S/BOMBING INDICTMENTS (S ONLY)
BYLINE=VICTOR BEATTIE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  TWO MIDDLE EASTERN MEN, THE TWO MAIN SUSPECTS IN A PLOT 
TO BOMB NEW YORK'S SUBWAY SYSTEM, HAVE BEEN CHARGED (INDICTED) 
WITH CONSPIRACY BY A FEDERAL GRAND JURY.  V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE 
REPORTS FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS SAY SO FAR THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO 
TIE THE TWO DEFENDANTS TO ANY KNOWN TERRORIST GROUP:

TEXT:  THE GRAND JURY RETURNED AN INDICTMENT CHARGING GAZI 
IBRAHIM ABU MEZER, A PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AND LAFI KHALIL OF 
JORDAN WITH CONSPIRACY TO EXPLODE A PIPE BOMB IN A SUBWAY ATTACK.
IF CONVICTED, THE TWO MEN FACE A MAXIMUM LIFE IN PRISON SENTENCE.

THE MEN WERE ARRESTED JULY 31ST AFTER A MAN WHO HAD LIVED WITH 
THEM TIPPED OFF POLICE ABOUT THE ALLEGED BOMBING ATTACK.  

OFFICERS WHO RAIDED THE BROOKLYN, NEW YORK APARTMENT, FOUND TWO 
POTENTIAL SUICIDE-STYLE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES, IN THE WORDS OF THE 
INDICTMENT, FULLY RIGGED AND READY TO BE DETONATED.  
INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY ALSO DISCOVERED A NOTE STATING THAT A BOMB
WOULD BE USED AGAINST AMERICANS UNLESS CERTAIN DEMANDS WERE MET.

THE ALLEGED PLOT WAS FOILED ONE DAY AFTER A JERUSALEM MARKET 
BOMBING KILLED 13 FOR WHICH THE RADICAL PALESTINIAN GROUP HAMAS 
TOOK RESPONSIBILITY.  AUTHORITIES CONDUCTED AN INTENSIVE, 
WORLDWIDE INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DEFENDANTS ACTED
ALONE OR HAD LINKS TO KNOWN TERRORISTS.  NO SUCH LINK HAS BEEN 
ESTABLISHED, BUT THE PROBE CONTINUES.  (SIGNED).



NEB/PT

29-Aug-97 9:55 PM EDT (0155 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.