FBI: No credible terrorist threat ahead of DNC

DENVER – The head of the FBI in Denver says his office has received no credible terrorist threats against the Democratic National Convention, but he says he is aware of anarchist groups and protesters who intend on disrupting the convention.

"I think there is some possibility of large scale protests, people who may have it in their mind to disrupt this convention," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jim Davis in an interview with 9NEWS.

Davis, who took over the top job at the Denver Field Office in March, is playing one of the lead roles in protecting the DNC from terrorism.

"There is clearly enough activity for us to be very busy in addressing potential threats," Davis said, noting his agents have been busy preparing for the DNC for months.

Davis also said there is terrorism in Denver, but not in the sense people are used to.

"We don't have terrorist attacks here, we don't have suicide bombers and I think that's what people think of when they think about terrorism," Davis said.

Before his assignment in Denver, Davis spent time in Iraq. He was present for the first interview of Saddam Hussein following his capture in 2003.

"My first thought is this guy is not healthy. He moved slowly and shuffled," Davis said. "During the interview he was pretty lively, pretty engaging. He wanted to talk. A lot of what he was doing was putting his position on the record. In that interview there was no real effort to hit any home runs, it was just an attempt to get him to talk," said Davis.

Davis said a memorable moment came as Hussein was photographed.

"He was pretty upset when he realized what we were doing was not a photo opportunity, but a mug shot. When we had him turn toward the wall and had him take that side view, he realized these were mug shots and he said in Arabic through his interpreter, 'This is how you treat criminals.' We responded, 'That's right, face the wall,'" said Davis.

During the interview Hussein also talked about why he invaded Kuwait before the first Gulf War.

Davis said Hussein told interviewers, "If I deploy my army for a fight, I have to give them a fight or they will come back and fight me."

"What he's saying is that he's willing to sacrifice his army to stay in power, which is what he did," said Davis.

Hussein was hanged on December 30, 2006 after being found guilty of crimes against humanity.

Investigative reporter Jace Larson will air a television interview with Jim Davis Friday on 9NEWS at 6.

Have a tip for 9Wants to Know investigative reporter Jace Larson, e-mail him at jace.larson@9news.com.