Feds: Massachusetts Man Planned Terror Attacks On Malls

BOSTON (AP) - A 27-year-old Massachusetts man has been charged with conspiring with others to carry out terror attacks against shoppers in U.S. malls and against U.S. military in Iraq.

Authorities in Boston say Tarek Mehanna of Sudbury sought training in terrorist training camps and worked with others from 2001 to May 2008 on the conspiracy “kill, kidnap, maim or injure” people in foreign countries and to kill prominent U.S. politicians.

Federal prosecutors say Mehanna and his conspirators tried to get automatic weapons for a mall attack, but their plans were foiled when they could not get the weapons.

Mehanna’s attorney, J.W. Carney Jr., did not immediately return calls for comment.

Mehanna was arrested last year for allegedly lying about a man who trained with al-Qaida members with the goal of overthrowing the Somali government.