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Saudi Man Pleads Â«Not GuiltyÂ» to US Bomb Plot

29 March 2011 04:55 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. A young Saudi man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he sought to bomb targets in the United States, including the home of former president George W. Bush, APA reports quoting â€œThe Voice of Americaâ€.

Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari entered his plea at his arraignment Monday in federal court in Texas. His trial is set for May 2.

Prosecutors have charged the 20-year-old former university student with the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Authorities arrested Aldawsari in February, after tracking his online activity using electronic surveillance, searching his apartment and reading his journal.

Investigators say Aldawsari researched explosives and targets, and often e-mailed himself information as part of the process. The Justice Department also says an e-mail titled â€œTyrant’s Houseâ€ listed the Texas home of former president Bush.

In addition, officials say Aldawsari allegedly bought chemicals and equipment necessary to make bombs.

Aldawsari, a Saudi citizen, entered the United States lawfully in 2008 on a student visa.

Justice officials say some of the e-mails Aldawsari sent to himself contained violent jihadist messages and indicated he sought a particular scholarship in the United States for the purpose of committing an attack.

One e-mail allegedly contained a message saying â€œone operation in the land of the infidels is equal to 10 operations against occupying forces in the land of the Muslims.â€