Federal agent says Iraqi refugee wanted to bomb Texas malls

The judge refused to let Hardan out on bond because of the risk that he would run, citing testimony from Homeland Security Special Agent Herman Wittliff.

On Wednesday, 24-year-old Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan pleaded not guilty to all three charges claiming he never tried to help the Islamic State.

An Iraqi refugee, who fled to the United States under the guise of searching for protection, is now facing charges * a href=”http://www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-iraqi-refugee-omar-al-hardan-wanted-to-bomb-texas-malls/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20Campaign&utm_term=*Mideast%20Brief” *for trying to blow up two malls in Houston in support of the Islamic State.

During the hearing, Wittliff read aloud excerpts from a conversation that authorities had recorded between Al Hardan and his wife in October 2014.

Authorities said one of the men, identified as 23-year-old Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, is a refugee from Syria, reports The Associated Press. Prosecutors say that Hardan and Jayab were in contact via Facebook throughout 2013 and 2014 and planned to train with weapons and eventually travel to Syria to fight with Islamic militants.

Mr Wittliff said authorities had a photograph showing al Hardan had taken an oath on the Koran to IS and that in a cupboard in his bedroom agents found an IS flag and a prayer “to do list”.

David Adler, Al Hardan’s court-appointed attorney, kicked off his cross-examination by telling Witliff he counted upwards of 25 non-essential government employees watching the proceedings, and asking if they were in the courtroom for a reason, or if they were “just wasting taxpayer money”.

“So he could kill people”, Wittliff replied.

Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab of Sacramento, Calif. and Al Hardan are Palestinians who were born in Iraq and came to the United States as refugees. Al-Jayab was interviewed by immigration officials in 2014 for his green card and did not disclose his recent travel to Syria, authorities said.

Al Hardan’s arrest prompted criticism of the Obama administration’s refugee policies from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has been a leader among Republican governors calling for a halt to resettlement of Syrian refugees in their states.

The defendant, prosecutors and defense attorneys were hastily called to court for a 1 p.m. detention hearing that ended up being rescheduled three hours later to 4 p.m.

“I can’t speak to that”, Witliff said. I am not wacko.

A two-page itemized Federal Bureau of Investigation receipt shows that agents collected the cell phones, laptops and tablets as well as electronic components, a wire stripper crimper and soldering equipment. I am speaking the truth. Hardan was in the middle of applying for citizenship, having been granted permanent resident status in August 2011. “I want to blow myself up…I am against America”.

Hughes announced his decision after a brief recess, saying that Al Hardan had no ties to Houston and that his family, who were evicted after Al Hardan’s arrest, “is not an asset to this case”.

Al-Jayab remains jailed in Sacramento, California.