FBI: 4 California men arrested on terrorism charges, planned to join al-Qaida

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Federal authorities say four California men have been charged with plotting to kill Americans overseas and in the United States by joining al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller says the defendants are under arrest for plotting to bomb government facilities and public places.

According to the federal complaint unsealed Monday during initial appearances, 34-year-old Sohiel Omar Kabir introduced two other California men to the radical Islamist doctrine of Anwar al-Awlaki, a deceased al-Qaida leader.

Authorities allege Kabir travelled to Afghanistan and communicated with the two — 23-year-old Ralph Deleon and 21-year-old Miguel Alejandro Santana Vidriales — so he could arrange for their travel to join him and meet with his contacts for terror organizations. They later recruited 21-year-old Arifeen David Gojali.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.