Combating Hate: International Extremism & Terrorism

Pakistani-American Brothers Charged with Terrorism

Two naturalized American citizens from Pakistan have been indicted on charges of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction.

Brothers Raees Alam Qazi, 20, and Sheheryar Alam Qazi, 30, were arrested on November 29, 2012 in Oakland Park, Florida and made their first court appearance the following day.  They have both pleaded not guilty.

Authorities have provided few details thus far, but a Department of Justice spokesperson said the arrests were part of an "ongoing, very active investigation." Other officials, who requested anonymity when interviewed by the news media, said that the arrests were not part of a law enforcement sting operation.  Court documents indicate that the plot began in July 2011 and that the prosecution plans to rely on evidence gathered under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The two brothers face the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted.