Man in terrorism inquiry huddles with his attorney
AURORA, Colo. - After three days of questioning by FBI agents, a Denver shuttle bus driver at the center of a federal terrorism investigation halted talks with investigators yesterday to consult with his lawyer, a spokeswoman for the lawyer said.
Federal agents investigating a possible terrorist plot against New York City have focused on the man, Najibullah Zazi, 24, who had told officials that he had perhaps unwittingly crossed paths in Pakistan with extremists allied with Al Qaeda, according to government officials briefed on the case.
But The Denver Post reported yesterday that Zazi said in a telephone interview that he had not admitted any link to the terrorist group, to participation in insurgency training in Pakistan, or to involvement in a terrorist plot.
“If it was true, they wouldn’t allow me to leave,’’ Zazi, who spoke voluntarily with the FBI, told the newspaper. “I don’t think the FBI or the police would allow anyone who admits being a terrorist to go free for one minute.’’
The spokeswoman, Wendy S. Aiello, said Zazi’s lawyer, Arthur Folsom, wants time to sit down with his client before they agree to further discussions with the authorities.
“It certainly makes sense for Mr. Folsom to take a break at this time and review the entire situation with his client,’’ Aiello said.
Zazi has not been charged with any crime, and Aiello said he had not been offered a plea deal or given any indication that an arrest was imminent. FBI officials in Denver declined to comment on their talks with Zazi or say whether they expected him to resume cooperation.
Neither federal nor New York officials have publicly explained why or how they became interested in Zazi, who moved from Queens, N.Y., to Aurora.
Over the course of three days, Zazi spent about 28 hours with federal investigators, and he had been expected to return for a fourth day of questioning yesterday morning.
