From CENTCOM:
PORTRAIT OF AN EXTREMIST: AZZAM THE AMERICAN
THE AMERICAN FACE OF AL QAEDAOnce known as Adam Pearlman and Adam Gadahn,al Qaeda extremist “Azzam the American” attended high school in Orange County, California. At age 17, Gadahn converted to Islam, and three years later, in 1998, Gadahn moved to Pakistan, where he is believed to have become associated with a senior al Qaeda leader now in U.S. custody, Abu Zubaydah. Gadahn trained in terrorist camps in Afghanistan, provided English translations for al Qaeda, and has appeared in four al-Qaeda videos.
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
- “What took place on September 11 was but the opening salvo in the global war on America.” (October 2004)
- “Allah willing, the streets of America will run red with blood, matching drop for drop the blood of America’s victims.” (October 2004)
- “Yesterday, London and Madrid. Tomorrow, Los Angeles and Melbourne, Allah willing. And this time, don’t count on us demonstrating restraint or compassion.” (September 2005)
This slug has also become the first American accused of treason since World War Two. The charges carry a maximum punishment of death.
Besides treason, prosecutors have prepared other criminal charges against Gadahn, the sources said. They declined to give specific details. The FBI has sought to question him since May 2004. Based on the indictment, the FBI added Gadahn to its list of most wanted terrorists and offered a $1 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
Gadahn “knowingly adhered to an enemy of the United States, namely, al-Qaida, and gave al-Qaida aid and comfort … with intent to betray the United States,” according to the indictment, handed up by an Orange County grand jury.
Adam Pearlman, Adam Gadahn, Islam, al Qaeda
