Charges Added in Alleged Plot Against Bush

McLEAN, Va. -- A man accused of plotting to assassinate President Bush was indicted Thursday on additional charges that could bring life in prison, and prosecutors say he also planned to establish an Al Qaeda cell in the United States.

Prosecutors say that Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, 24, of Falls Church, Va., joined Al Qaeda in 2002 while studying in Saudi Arabia and that he discussed possible terrorist operations, including a plot to kill Bush either by shooting or by a suicide bombing.

Prosecutors also allege Abu Ali discussed plans to assassinate members of Congress and to hijack aircraft and fly them into U.S. targets.

The new indictment adds counts of conspiracy to assassinate the president, conspiracy to commit aircraft piracy and conspiracy to destroy aircraft. Previously, those allegations were included in a general charge of conspiracy to support terrorist organizations.

The aircraft piracy charge carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, and the count alleging assassination conspiracy carries a term of up to life in prison.

Abu Ali has denied the charges and says he was tortured into a false confession by Saudi authorities working with the United States.

Prosecutors deny that Abu Ali was mistreated while in Saudi custody.

Thursday’s indictment includes new details, including an alleged plan to smuggle Saudi Al Qaeda members into the United States through Mexico, where they would join Abu Ali as part of an Al Qaeda cell dedicated to terrorist acts.

Previously, prosecutors had said only that Abu Ali wanted to be a planner of terrorist attacks in the mold of Sept. 11 ringleader Mohamed Atta.

According to the indictment, Abu Ali also guarded an Al Qaeda safe house in Saudi Arabia in May 2003 and translated materials from English to Arabic for Al Qaeda.

Abu Ali was arrested by the Saudis in June 2003 and held until he was returned to the United States in February to face charges.

His trial is set for October, and prosecutors said the new indictment wasn’t likely to delay it. His arraignment on the new charges is expected next week.