Danish terror plot 2 Chicago friends accused of scheming to attack Danish newspaper 10/27/09

CHICAGO — Two Chicago men are charged with plotting terrorist attacks against overseas targets, including at a Danish newspaper that sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world by publishing cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

David Coleman Headley, 49, and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 48, were charged in separate complaints filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Headley told FBI agents that the initial plan called for an attack against the newspaper building in Copenhagen, but he later proposed just killing the paper's cartoonist and former cultural editor, according to an FBI affidavit released Tuesday.

Prosecutors said Headley traveled to Denmark to identify potential targets for a terrorist attack and that Rana helped arrange Headley's travel.

Headley is charged with conspiracy to commit terrorist acts involving murder and maiming outside the United States. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. He was arrested Oct. 3 at O'Hare International Airport as he boarded a flight to Philadelphia, the first leg of a trip to Pakistan.

Headley and Rana are each charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorism conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Rana was arrested Oct. 18 in his home.

Prosecutors said Headley, a U.S. citizen who changed his name from Daood Gilani in 2006, identified and conducted surveillance of potential targets of a terrorist attack in Denmark on two separate trips to that country in January and July.

The Danish Security and Intelligence Service, or PET, said Headley made detailed video recordings while in Copenhagen in July. Authorities said Headley reported and attempted to report on his efforts to individuals with ties to terrorism overseas, including at least one with links to al-Qaida.

The Danish Security and Intelligence Service, or PET, said it and the FBI worked together to thwart the plot and that an attack was not imminent.

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[cloudberry121]

@DonsonDK

I disagree because the islamofascists will see it as submission to their religion and sharia law. But it's a very difficult and brutal situation. Good luck in the future. I feel sad about the whole thing.

[DonsonDK]

@cloudberry121 Your absolutely right, they have been brainwashed and in a way insane, but in the case of the drawings, ,,,,I´m trying to say that even the freedom of speach has its limit, no matter what religion its about, even with maniacs like these islamic suicidebombing cowards scum of the earth

[cloudberry121]

@DonsonDK

Don't get angry but when you try to make peace it gives the wrong message. The islamofascists see you as weak and submissive and it encourages them to push you more and more until you stand up for yourself.

It's a different mindset and your being a nice guy doesn't have the same results when dealing with jihadists.

[DonsonDK]

@MogM5500 Skvadderhoved

[MogM5500]

@DonsonDK Nar

[DonsonDK]

@MogM5500 mental

[MogM5500]

@DonsonDK Trator!

[DonsonDK]

@MogM5500 Thats a fukin lie, and don´t call me a trator, people with common sense agre that these drawings should not have been reprinted, In no way do I sympathize with those islamists or anything they stand for, it´s a principal thing. The first time it was funny satire, then thing got out of hand

[MogM5500]

@DonsonDK Thats a fukin lie you trator! Some soft naive danes think it was a mistake. I have seen several debates in Denmark where almost everyone, thought it was a good idea to reprint the cartoons on the frontpages!

[lilvin69]

call me old-fashioned but i feel disposed towards violence for the offending parties