FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2001

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INDICTS MAN FOR MAKING

WASHINGTON, D.C. A federal grand jury in Phoenix, Arizona returned a two-count indictment today against Faisal Michael Al Salmi of Tempe, Arizona for giving false statements to the FBI in connection with the FBI's investigation into the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001. Al Salmi is in federal custody in New York and will be returned to Arizona to face the charges.

"The Department of Justice will bring the full weight of the law upon those who try to impede or hinder the investigation of the terrorist acts of September 11," said Attorney General John Ashcroft. "If individuals break the law by attempting to hide or conceal information, we will use every legal tool to bring them to justice."

Count One of the indictment alleges that on or about September 18, 2001, Al Salmi made false statements to the FBI by telling FBI agents during an interview that he had no knowledge or association with Hani Hanjour, whose travels and associations were under investigation by the FBI in connection with the September 11 events. Investigators discovered that Al Salmi had known Hanjour and had spoken with him on several occasions, including at least one occasion when they spoke of a mutual interest in aviation.

Count Two of the indictment alleges that Al Salmi made false statements to the FBI by telling FBI agents during an interview that he had not spoken with Rayed Mohammed Abdullah about an interview that Abdullah had participated in with the FBI where Abdullah described his limited association with Hanjour. Investigators discovered that Al Salmi had spoken with Abdullah about the fact Abdullah had been interviewed by the FBI prior to Al Salmi's interview with the FBI.

In an indictment by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona, Al Salmi is charged with violating Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 1001and 1002. A conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years, a $250,000 fine or both, for each count.

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