Nadia Alessa, mother of Mahmood Alessa, 20, of North Bergen, New Jersey — one of the two men arrested last week at JFK before he could hop a flight to Egypt, reportedly to join an al Qaeda–affiliated group in Somalia — is speaking out about her son. Apparently his habit of sleeping in proves he’s not that religious:
“He slept late. If he was devout, he would make his prayers on time … Anything makes him angry. But he’s not a terrorist, he’s a stupid kid.”
Alessa had told his mother that he was going to Egypt to study Arabic, and she had helped him pack. He’s now charged with conspiracy to kill, maim, and murder persons outside of the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Suspect’s mom: Son ‘stupid kid,’ not a terrorist [CNN]
Previously: Would-be New Jersey Terrorists Listened to Tapes of Anwar Al-Awlaki
Alessa had told his mother that he was going to Egypt to study Arabic, and she had helped him pack. He’s now charged with conspiracy to kill, maim, and murder persons outside of the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Suspect’s mom: Son ‘stupid kid,’ not a terrorist [CNN]
Previously: Would-be New Jersey Terrorists Listened to Tapes of Anwar Al-Awlaki
