WASHINGTON, D.C. – This afternoon, Iraqi citizen Waad Ramadan Alwan pleaded guilty to federal terrorism charges in U.S. District Court. Alwan was one of two Iraqi refugees arrested in Bowling Green, Ky., earlier this year on terrorism charges.
Sen. Paul released the following statement regarding Alwan’s guilty plea:
“The hard work of local law enforcement officials in concert with the FBI to capture terrorists living in Bowling Green is beyond commendable. The fact that these terrorists lived in the United States for years without detection is beyond deplorable. This incident underlines the need for a thorough review and re-examination of the process through which refugees are granted access to our country. The grave offenses this man pleaded guilty of committing could have cost innumerable American lives,” Sen. Paul said.
Alwan was indicted by a federal grand jury in Bowling Green in May on 23 counts, including conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals abroad, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction (explosives) against U.S. nationals abroad; distributing information on the manufacture and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs); attempting to provide material support to terrorists and to al-Qaeda in Iraq; as well as conspiracy to transfer, possess and export Stinger missiles.
Related posts:
- Senator Paul Meets With FBI Director Mueller
- Senator Paul Announces Agreement on Hearings and Joint Investigation on Refugee Welfare
- Senator Paul Calls for Answers and Hearings in the Senate after Recent Arrests of Suspected Terrorists
- Senator Paul Investigates Lapse in Homeland Security Safeguards
- Senator Paul Statement on Defeat of Detainee Amendment
