x
Breaking News
More () »

NBC NEWS exclusive: imprisoned terrorists still advocating terror

FLORENCE, Colo. - NBC News has learned that three terrorists, convicted in the first attack on the World Trade Center 12 years ago, have been continuing to incite others terrorists from the Supermax federal prison in Florence, Colorado.

NBC correspondent Lisa Myers reports letters obtained by NBC News show that while behind bars, the bombers wrote letters to other suspected terrorists, praising Osama bin Laden. Some of the letters were published in Arabic newspapers. According to confidential Spanish court documents obtained by NBC, at least 14 letters went back and forth between the 1993 World Trade Center bombers and a Spanish terror cell. Six people were killed and more than 1,000 wounded when a massive bomb exploded at the World Trade Center in February 1993.One of the convicted bombers, Mohammed Salameh, sent a letter that same month to Mohamed Achraf. "Oh God! Make us live with happiness, make us die as martyrs, may we be united on the Day of Judgment," is says. Achraf, later allegedly led a plot to blow up the National Justice Building in Madrid and is awaiting trial.Another letter Salameh wrote from jail in July 2002 was published in the Al-Quds Al Arabi newspaper. "Osama bin Laden in my hero of this generation," it said."If they are encouraging acts of terrorism internationally, how do we know they're not encouraging acts of terrorism right here on us soil?" said Andrew McCarthy, former assistant U.S. attorney.Federal prison officials say inmates' letters are monitored. Other sources have told NBC news that the Justice Department did not restrict communications from Salameh and the two other men because they weren't considered that dangerous. The Justice Department is investigating.

Before You Leave, Check This Out