Iraqi immigrant plotted to smuggle assassins by Mexico to kill former US president: docs

Harris Marley

International Courant

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An Iraqi citizen dwelling in Ohio plotted to smuggle ISIS sympathizers into the USA “who don’t care if they’re killed in the course of the mission” to homicide former President George W. Bush, courtroom information present.

Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, 53, believed the previous commander in chief was liable for killing many Iraqis and destroying the nation throughout “Operation of Iraqi Freedom.”

Shihab pleaded responsible final yr to trying to supply materials assist to terrorists and was sentenced in February to greater than 14 years in jail for the plot, particulars of which have been revealed in courtroom paperwork.

US ARMY VET RECALLS NIGHT a hundred and first AIRBORNE DIVISION WAS AMBUSHED BY ONE OF ITS OWN BEFORE IRAQ INVASION

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President Bush declares the tip of main fight operations in Iraq aboard the plane provider USS Abraham Lincoln. The conflict appeared on the time to be successful, however later, as circumstances in Iraq deteriorated, the message of “mission completed” was criticized as untimely. (AP)

Assassination plot

Shihab aided al Qaeda as a gun runner in the course of the conflict. He introduced weapons from Syria into Iraq and smuggled explosive-packed autos that have been set as traps alongside recognized roads Individuals traveled, federal courtroom paperwork say.

Shihab’s plot included two former Iraqi intelligence brokers, who have been to hold out the precise assassination whereas he scoped out the previous president’s Texas house and coordinated journey logistics, courtroom paperwork present.

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He deliberate to smuggle the Iraqi nationals throughout the U.S.-Mexican border for 1000’s of {dollars}, however he had no concept he was plotting the assassination with an unnamed informant, recognized in courtroom papers as “CS1.”

In recorded conversations with the FBI’s confidential supply, Shihab admitted “he wished to be concerned within the precise assault and assassination of former president Bush,” the felony grievance says, and he can be “proud” to provide his life.

THE PAINFUL DEBATE OVER IRAQ, WHICH BECAME A BLOODY QUAGMIRE, 20 YEARS LATER

The George W. Bush Presidential Heart opened a brand new exhibit, Freedom Issues, to honor American freedom by housing historic artifacts for the general public to see. (Andrew Kaufmann/George W. Bush Presidential Heart | Jemal Countess/Getty Photos)

He deliberate to smuggle no less than seven assassins – all Iraqi nationals – throughout the U.S.-Mexican border for 1000’s of {dollars} every. 

Within the fall of 2021, he believed he efficiently smuggled an ISIS member into the U.S. for $40,0000, however “in actuality, the person was fictitious, and the interplay was coordinated below the course of the FBI,” federal Ohio prosecutors stated in a press launch. 

READ THE FULL CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

The courtroom paperwork do not say what first put Shihab on federal legislation enforcement’s radar or tipped them off concerning the plot.

However the grievance particulars a number of recorded conferences between Shihab and “CS1” between April 2021 and Could 2022.

US IRAQ WAR VET SAYS 16 CASUALTIES OF MARCH 2003 ATTACK IN CAMP PENNSYLVANIA ‘DESERVE PURPLE HEART’

In February 2022, Shihab traveled with “CS1” to Dallas, the place he recorded the driveway resulting in Bush’s house and “took two passes by the entrance entry gate main into the neighborhood,” courtroom paperwork say.

He additionally recorded Bush’s entrance entry gate and the encircling space that led into the abutting neighboring, and the George W. Bush Institute, in line with the felony grievance.

Photos after March 23, 2003, when Military Sgt. Hasan Akbar ambushed different U.S. army members, killing two and wounding 14. (Command Sgt. Maj. U.S. Military (retired) Bart E. Womack)

The FBI’s informant talked Shihab out of sending the movies to the assassins by saying they might be intercepted by the U.S. authorities.

The previous president was reportedly by no means fearful, regardless of how shut Shihab gave the impression to be.

IRAQ WAR IN PHOTOS

“President Bush has all the arrogance on the earth within the U.S. Secret Service and our legislation enforcement and intelligence communities,” Freddy Ford, Bush’s chief of employees, advised The Guardian after Shihab’s arrest in Could 2022.

U.S. Marines of the Gentle Armored Reconnaissance firm of the first Battalion, third Marines, hearth a rocket to clear homes on the website the place 4 insurgents staged a bloody assault that killed one American and wounded many others, Nov. 23, 2004, in Fallujah, Iraq. (Scott Peterson/Getty Photos)

He was lastly arrested by the FBI Joint Terrorism Job Pressure in Could 2022 and charged in federal courtroom with trying to supply materials assist to terrorists.

Shihab pleaded responsible final March and was sentenced in February to 178 months in jail.

He’ll seemingly be deported after his jail sentence, however he may even be below supervised launch for all times.

How Shihab entered the nation

Shihab entered the nation in September 2020 on a customer visa and labored a lot of jobs, together with in markets and eating places in Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis, in line with prosecutors.

In March 2021, he filed a declare for asylum with U.S. citizenship, which was pending evaluate when he was arrested.

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Shihab obtained faux divorce papers from his spouse in Iraq to arrange a sham marriage with a U.S. citizen to achieve immigration standing. 

Iraqi immigrant plotted to smuggle assassins by Mexico to kill former US president: docs

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