Sulaimon Abu Ghaith, a son-in-law of Osama bin Laden, appeared at a court hearing at a U.S. federal court in New York City on Friday where he pleaded not guilty to conspiring to kill Americans. Though Abu Ghaith is said to have been more of a strategic player rather than operational, he appeared in numerous al Qaeda propaganda videos urging and warning of attacks against the U.S. Officials speaking on the condition of anonymity said Abu Ghaith was captured by the FBI in Jordan on February 28 and brought to the U.S. the next day.
Abu Ghaith was born in Kuwait, where he served as an imam at a mosque until 2000. He then traveled to Afghanistan where he met his wife Fatima, bin Laden's eldest daughter. Abu Ghaith has been described as a charismatic figure who served as bin Laden's spokesman and key advisor and helped al Qaeda raise funds and recruit followers. He is not thought to have helped plan the 9/11 attacks, though officials say it is likely he was involved in discussions. After the Taliban were ousted from power in Afghanistan in 2001, Abu Ghaith fled with bin Laden to the North Waziristan region of Pakistan. According to prosecutors, Abu Ghaith was smuggled into Iran in 2002, where he lived under house arrest until 2010. His release was part of a deal brokered with Iran in exchange for the release of an Iranian diplomat kidnapped by al Qaeda. Abu Ghaith returned to Pakistan before attempting to enter Turkey through Iran. He was caught by Turkish authorities, but let go as he was unable to be tried there. Intelligence officials say he was being deported to Kuwait when he stopped in Jordan, where he was reportedly captured by the FBI.
The following provides further insight into Abu Ghaith's background and role within al Qaeda:
- A month following the 9/11 attacks, Abu Ghaith appeared in a video along with bin Laden and the current leader of al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri. He spoke for five minutes in the propaganda video, which is considered one of al Qaeda’s most viewed.
- Abu Ghaith urged Muslims to join the fight against the U.S. On October 9, 2001 he stated, “The Americans must know that the storm of airplanes will not stop, God willing, and there are thousands of young people who are as keen about death as Americans are about life.”
- While in Iran for eight years, it is believed that Abu Ghaith helped to coordinate the flow of terrorist operatives and funding in and out of Pakistan, Iraq and possibly Yemen.
The MSA Research and Intelligence Team has been following this situation closely, and has identified the following implications:
- Abu Ghaith will likely prove to have intelligence value as he was a member of bin Laden’s family and a key advisor within al Qaeda.
- As more of a strategic player, Abu Ghaith is not thought to have knowledge of any current threats or plots in the works. However, intelligence officials are hopeful that his trial will help to provide insight into al Qaeda’s central command as well as its operations within Iran.
- Additionally, the capture of Abu Ghaith is another significant blow to al Qaeda core given his role as the group’s mouthpiece. This could provide leverage for American-born Adam Gadahn to become the chief spokesman. However, he is often criticized for lacking charisma which is viewed as a necessary trait for recruitment purposes.
- There has been controversy surrounding President Barack Obama’s decision to hold the trial against Abu Ghaith in New York City rather than the prison at Guantanamo Bay. This has mainly drawn criticism that Abu Ghaith is being treated as a common criminal rather than a foreign terrorist.
- There is also potential that the case could facilitate terror threats against New York City during and after his trial. Abu Ghaith will return to court on April 8.
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