Portland Man Enters Plea in Terrorism Case
A man deported from Malaysia pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he was part of a terrorist “sleeper cell” that tried to aid Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network and plotted to attack Portland synagogues.
Ahmed Bilal, 24, a U.S. citizen of Saudi Arabian descent, appeared in federal court here in shackles and dressed in blue prison garb. His attorney entered the not guilty plea.
He was one of six Portland residents indicted on federal charges this month. Four others also have pleaded not guilty
The remaining suspect, Habis Abdulla Al Saoub, 36, remains at large. He is the only noncitizen of the group who was indicted.
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