US Sentences Al-Qaeda Operative to 40 Years for International Terror Plot

Al-Qaeda operative Abid Naseer was sentenced to 40 years in the United States for multiple terrorism offenses, according to the US Department of Justice.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Al-Qaeda operative Abid Naseer will spend four decades in prison for being a group leader trying to implement a plan to bomb a shopping center in Manchester, the United Kingdom (UK), the US Department of Justice said in a press release on Tuesday.

"Abid Naseer was sentenced to 40 years by United States District Judge Raymond J. Dearie for multiple terrorism offenses," the press release said.

The attack, coordinated with al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan, also targeted the New York City subway system and a newspaper office in Copenhagen, Denmark, according to the Justice Department.

"This case demonstrates the importance of a closely coordinated international law enforcement approach to an established terrorist network that knows no borders," New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton said.

Naseer arrived in the United Kingdom in 2006, exploiting "the educational visa system," according to the press release.

In April 2009, UK authorities arrested Naseer and several of his associates. A US jury convicted Naseer in March for conspiring to use a destructive device and providing material support to al-Qaeda.