Seven held in US for plotting attacks overseas

In the seven-count indictment unsealed in Raleigh,North Carolina,authorities accused Boyd and others,including his two sons,of traveling to Gaza,Israel,Jordan,Pakistan and Kosovo to plan or engage in attacks. All seven face up to life in prison if convicted.

They were charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists,conspiracy to murder,kidnap,maim and injure persons abroad. The indictment,which says the defendants engaged in the activities starting in late 2006 through this month,did not accuse the group of carrying out any attacks. Those indicted beside Boyd were Hysen Sherifi,Anes Subasic,Zakariya Boyd,Dylan Boyd,Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan and Ziyad Yaghi.

THE RINGLEADER

Daniel Patrick Boyd,who had trained in Afghanistan and Pakistan and wanted to use the experience to set up his own organisation,had faced stern punishment after being convicted of robbing a bank in Pakistan: Losing a hand and foot. Boyd avoided the sentence when his conviction was overturned. Over the past three years he allegedly recruited followers willing to die as martyrs waging jehad. Two of his sons,Zakariya Boyd,20,and Dylan Boyd,22,have also been named in the indictment.