Yesterday accused terrorist Najibulllah Zazi pleaded guilty, describing his motives and plot in detail. His confession confirmed much of what investigators suspected, but the candor with which Zazi describes his negative feelings towards the U.S.—his "unapologetic, matter-of-fact manner"—was surprising. "I would sacrifice myself to bring attention to what the United States military was doing to civilian in Afghanistan by sacrificing my soul for the sake of saving other souls," Zazi explained to the judge.
Zazi began by detailing how he traveled to Pakistan in 2008 to fight with the Taliban against the U.S, reports the Daily News, adding:
Also, our plan was to go to Afghanistan and fight with the Taliban. While we were in Peshawar, we were recruited by Al Qaeda, instead. We were taken by Al Qaeda to training camp in Waziristan, where we received weapons training...During the training, Al Qaeda leaders asked us to return to the United States and conduct martyrdom operation.
We agreed to this plan. I did so because of my feelings about what the United States was doing in Afghanistan. Later, I received more training from Al Qaeda about how to construct the explosives for attack in the United States or to carry martyrdom operation. During my training, I had discussion with Al Qaeda ... leaders, including target locations, such as New York City subways.
In January 2009 he returned to the U.S. and started planning and researching his attack, using "bomb-making notes" and meeting frequently with others to hash out the details. He assembled the detonator in Denver, then in early September 2009 drove across the country to NY "with the detonator explosive and other materials ... necessary to build bombs.":
The plan was to conduct martyrdom operation on subway lines in Manhattan as soon as the material were ready, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. When I arrived in New York City, I realized that law enforcement was investigating me. At that point, we threw away the detonator explosives and other materials, and I flew back to Denver, and I was arrested just a few days after.
The former airport shuttle driver will be sentenced in June, and faces life in jail without parole.
