News

USIS Washington File

15 December 1999

Fact Sheet: Evidence Against Bin Laden Documented

(FBI websites offer information) (690)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has made public two websites where
information about Usama bin Laden is available. Information about bin
Laden's involvement in the 1998 bombing of the U.S. embassies in
Tanzania and Kenya can be found at
www.fbi.gov/majcases/eastafrica.summary.htm. The U.S. indictment
against bin Laden can be found at
www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/nfo/1141998.htm.

The following is text of the fact sheet:

(begin text) 

FACT SHEET

THE CHARGES AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST USAMA BIN LADEN

The Taliban Movement of Afghanistan, led by Mullah Mohammad Omar,
continues to provide safe haven to the indicted terrorist Usama bin
Laden. Spokesmen for the Taliban and its mass media continue the
disinformation campaign that no one has provided the Taliban with
proof of bin Laden's alleged crimes.

According to the rule of law as practiced by the international
community of nations, a judge and jury determine proof of guilt based
on evidence submitted during a trial.

Extensive evidence exists against Usama bin Laden and his
collaborators. This evidence is public information available to all,
including the Taliban, at two internet web sites, which are listed
below.

Usama bin Laden, leader of the terrorist organization Al-Qaida, is
charged in connection with the August 7, 1998, bombings of the U.S.
embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. These
attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people, including 12
American citizens, and injuries to more than 4,000 individuals, among
whom were Muslims. A summary of the facts of this terrorist act can be
found on the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's internet web site:

www.fbi.gov/majcases/eastafrica.summary.htm

As a result of extensive criminal investigation, and working closely
with Kenya, Tanzania, and other nations, the U.S. Government has
indicted or filed criminal complaints against bin Laden and 16 of his
associates for their involvement in the two bombings and other
terrorist crimes. The U.S. indictment detailing the charges against
bin Laden can be found on the internet web site of the U.S. Federal
Bureau of Investigation:

www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/nyfo/11041998.htm


USAMA BIN LADEN: AN INDICTED CRIMINAL, NOT A HERO

Usama bin Laden has repeatedly declared war on the U.S. and endorsed
the murder of U.S. citizens. For this reason, some of his admirers
consider bin Laden a hero.

Usama bin Laden is not a hero.  

According to international standards of law and morality, anyone who
incites violence against an entire people, especially for ideological
reasons, is a criminal.

AUGUST 1996 DECLARATION OF WAR

On or about August 23, 1996, Usama bin Laden signed and issued a
Declaration of jihad (holy war) from Afghanistan entitled, "Message
from Usama bin Laden to his Muslim Brothers in the Whole World and
Especially in the Arabian Peninsula: Declaration of Jihad Against the
Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Mosques; Expel the
Heretics from the Arabian Peninsula."

FEBRUARY 1998 FATWA AGAINST AMERICAN CITIZENS

In February 1998, Usama bin Laden and his close associate, Ayman al
Zawahiri, endorsed a fatwa under the banner of the "International
Islamic Front for Jihad on the Jews and Crusaders." This fatwa,
published in the newspaper, Al-Quds Al-Arabi, on February 23, 1998,
stated that Muslims should kill Americans - including civilians -
anywhere in the world where they can be found.

MAY 1998 FATWA

On or about May 7, 1998, bin Laden associate Mohammed Atef sent Khaled
al Fawwaz a letter discussing the endorsement by bin Laden of a fatwa
issued by the "Ulema Union of Afghanistan" which termed the U.S. army
the "enemies of Islam" and declared jihad against the U.S. and its
followers. The fatwa was subsequently published in Al-Quds Al-Arabi.

BIN LADEN ENDORSES THE NUCLEAR BOMB OF ISLAM

On or about May 29, 1998, bin Laden issued a statement entitled "The
Nuclear Bomb of Islam," under the banner of the "International Islamic
Front for Fighting the Jews and Crusaders," in which he stated that
"it is the duty of Muslims to prepare as much force as possible to
terrorize the enemies of God."
(end text)

(Distributed by Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State)