Ethiopian Review

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — US Authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding an eighth suspect accused of being a member of a North Carolina group that allegedly plotted “violent jihad” overseas, CNN reported from North Carolina.

The authorities are searching for the suspect, Jude Kenan Mohammed, a North Carolina resident.

“The Raleigh Joint Terrorism Task Force is seeking any information the public may have regarding the whereabouts of Jude Kenan Mohammad,” the FBI said in a statement. Federal authorities had said earlier that they believed Mohammad, 20, was in Pakistan.

Seven other suspects are in custody. All eight are accused of plotting “violent jihad” overseas, according to the indictment, and are charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to murder, kidnap, maim and injure people.

The indictment identifies Mohammad as a U.S. citizen and a North Carolina resident. It says he traveled to Pakistan in October 2008 to “engage in violent jihad.” No further details are offered.

A federal judge denied bail last week for six of the men, but expressed skepticism about the charges against them.

Magistrate Judge William Webb said the defendants had made a number of statements espousing holy war, and said the statements could be interpreted in isolation as braggadocio.

But because some group members had amassed a large arsenal and ammunition and had engaged in firearms training, Webb found there was reason to believe that they harbored criminal intent and presented a flight risk or a possible danger to the community.

- ENA