Pakistan to Charge 3 in Failed NYC Bomb09/08 10:49

   ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Pakistan will soon bring terrorism charges against three 
men alleged to have helped the failed Times Square bomber meet up with militant 
leaders close to the Afghan border and send him money to carry out the attack, 
a senior police officer said Wednesday.

   The three have been held since soon after the May 1 attempted car bombing, 
but the announcement marks the first time the authorities here have formally 
acknowledged their arrest. They had previously been picked up by the country's 
secretive intelligence agencies.

   The three were identified as Shoaib Mughal, Shahid Hussain and Humbal Akhtar.

   Islamabad Police Deputy Inspector General Bin Yamin said they would soon be 
charged in court with terrorism offenses.

   He did give specifics, but terrorism crimes can be punished by death in 
Pakistan. It was unclear if the men had been appointed lawyers yet.

   Yamin described them as having "militant minds" and a strong hatred for 
America.

   Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad has pleaded guilty to terrorism and 
weapons charges in the United States in connection with the botched bombing.

   Yamin said the three suspects had close ties to the leadership of the 
Pakistani Taliban, a militant group based in the northwest that has claimed 
responsibility for the plot.

   He said the three helped Shahzad to travel to the northwest and meet 
militant leaders there.

   They also sent him $13,000 in the United States when he ran short of money, 
he said.

   Intelligence officers have said that up to five people were being held in 
connection with the plot. It is unclear what will happen to the other two.


(KA)