Hasan probed before Fort Hood shooting but no action taken
Source: Agencies |
November 11, 2009, Wednesday
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NEARLY a year before United States Army Major Nidal Hasan allegedly went on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, terrorism investigators conducted an "assessment" of him before deciding he did not pose a threat.
Now the FBI is doing a new assessment - of its own conduct.
The Army psychiatrist is believed to have acted alone despite repeated communications - intercepted by authorities - with a radical imam overseas, US officials said on Monday. The FBI will conduct an internal review to see whether it mishandled early information about the man accused in the bloody rampage that killed 13 people and wounded 29.
Hasan met his lawyer on Monday in the San Antonio hospital where he is recovering, under guard, from gunshot wounds in the assault, but refuses to answer questions.
In Washington, Pete Hoekstra, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said Hasan had communicated 10 to 20 times with Anwar al-Awlaki, an imam released from a Yemeni jail last year who has used his Website to encourage Muslims to kill US troops in Iraq. Despite that, no formal investigation was opened into Hasan.
Officials said Hasan will be tried in a military court, not a civilian one, a choice that suggests his alleged actions are not thought to have emanated from a terrorist organization.
The Washington Post reported yesterday that Hasan warned colleagues a year and half ago that to "decrease adverse events" the US military should allow Muslim soldiers to be released as conscientious objectors instead of fighting in wars against other Muslims.
"It's getting harder and harder for Muslims in the service to morally justify being in a military that seems constantly engaged against fellow Muslims," Hasan said in a presentation to senior Army doctors, a copy of which was obtained by the Post.
FBI Director Robert Mueller ordered the inquiry into the bureau's handling of the case, including its response to potentially worrisome information gathered about Hasan.
Based on all the investigations since the attack, the investigators said they have no evidence that Hasan had help or outside orders in the shootings.
Military officials were made aware of communications between Hasan and al-Awlaki, but because the messages did not advocate or threaten violence, civilian law enforcement authorities could not take the matter further, the officials said. The terrorism task force concluded Hasan was not involved in terrorist planning.
Now the FBI is doing a new assessment - of its own conduct.
The Army psychiatrist is believed to have acted alone despite repeated communications - intercepted by authorities - with a radical imam overseas, US officials said on Monday. The FBI will conduct an internal review to see whether it mishandled early information about the man accused in the bloody rampage that killed 13 people and wounded 29.
Hasan met his lawyer on Monday in the San Antonio hospital where he is recovering, under guard, from gunshot wounds in the assault, but refuses to answer questions.
In Washington, Pete Hoekstra, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said Hasan had communicated 10 to 20 times with Anwar al-Awlaki, an imam released from a Yemeni jail last year who has used his Website to encourage Muslims to kill US troops in Iraq. Despite that, no formal investigation was opened into Hasan.
Officials said Hasan will be tried in a military court, not a civilian one, a choice that suggests his alleged actions are not thought to have emanated from a terrorist organization.
The Washington Post reported yesterday that Hasan warned colleagues a year and half ago that to "decrease adverse events" the US military should allow Muslim soldiers to be released as conscientious objectors instead of fighting in wars against other Muslims.
"It's getting harder and harder for Muslims in the service to morally justify being in a military that seems constantly engaged against fellow Muslims," Hasan said in a presentation to senior Army doctors, a copy of which was obtained by the Post.
FBI Director Robert Mueller ordered the inquiry into the bureau's handling of the case, including its response to potentially worrisome information gathered about Hasan.
Based on all the investigations since the attack, the investigators said they have no evidence that Hasan had help or outside orders in the shootings.
Military officials were made aware of communications between Hasan and al-Awlaki, but because the messages did not advocate or threaten violence, civilian law enforcement authorities could not take the matter further, the officials said. The terrorism task force concluded Hasan was not involved in terrorist planning.
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