Entrapment likely issue in Chicago bomb plot AP Sept 22

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100922/ap_on_re_us/us_chicago_bomb_arrest

Entrapment likely issue in Chicago bomb plot
AP

By MICHAEL TARM, Associated Press Writer Michael Tarm, Associated Press Writer –Sept 22

CHICAGO – As prosecutors take up the challenge of trying to convict a man arrested in an alleged bomb plot in Chicago, they may have to show the suspect wasn't egged on by an informant or undercover FBI agents into a crime he didn't initially intend to commit.

Sami Samir Hassoun, 22, was arrested Sunday after he placed a backpack authorities say he thought contained a bomb near Chicago's Wrigley Field. The fake but ominous-looking device — a paint can fitted with blasting caps and a timer — was given to him by an FBI undercover agent.

Hassoun's attorney, Myron Auerbach, said Tuesday he needed to study the case further before deciding on a defense strategy. But he left open the possibility of citing entrapment.

"My client didn't bring anything of his own making to the incident. Things were given to him," he said.

Former federal prosecutor Eric Sussman said the issue of entrapment is often broached in such cases.

"You have to show the suspect is someone predisposed to committing the crime rather than the informant being the instigator," Sussman said.

Hassoun, a Lebanese citizen who has lived in Chicago for about three years, was charged Monday with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and of an explosive device. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday afternoon for a detention hearing.

The complaint alleges Hassoun also spoke of poisoning Lake Michigan or assassinating Mayor Richard M. Daley. It says Hassoun waffled on his plans and motivations, talking about profiting monetarily from the attacks and saying at one point he wanted no deaths.

Hassoun also had no apparent affiliation with extremists. The complaint alleges he raised the specter of terrorist groups only by suggesting it would be helpful to blame them for any attacks he staged.

"This does not read like some of the other homeland security cases I have read about," Hassoun's attorney said. "My client is not the traditional bad guy."

An informant tipped off authorities about Hassoun, and befriended him over a year, conducting conversations in Arabic that were taped. At least two FBI undercover agents got in touch with Hassoun, posing as co-plotters — and eventually helping to deliver the bogus bomb.

A spokesman for the FBI's Chicago office, Ross Rice, declined comment Tuesday. Prosecutors also aren't commenting beyond the federal complaint.

But the complaint itself seems to anticipate any claims that Hassoun may have merely been suckered into the plot, describing how the undercover agents bent over backward to give Hassoun a chance to back out.

In a conversation cited in the complaint, one agent several times asks Hassoun if he wants to abandon plans to set off a bomb, telling him there was "no shame" in walking away.

"Do you still want to do it yourself?" the agent asks.

When Hassoun says he does, the agent asks him again, "Are you sure?"

"Positive," Hassoun responds, according to the complaint.

Thanks O

Thanks O

FBI: Terror Attack to Unseat Chicago’s Mayor Daley

The confidential source has not been disclosed. The FBI paid the CS to approach and befriend Hassoun over a year before his arrest. He was told that if he did exactly what they said, they might be able to buy him a home and a nice car. The FBI told Hassoun to quit his job so he could focus on the attack, which he did.

Here are some key quotes from the Federal Complaint:

"Hassoun assured the CS he would not detonate an actual bomb..."

"Hassoun agreed by stating: “No killing. There is no killing.”

"Hassoun claimed he was devising some sort of device that appeared as a toy, but when activated, would cause a minor explosion that would not cause injury..."

From Hassoun's Facebook:

Sami Hassoun Be flexible without being weak, be strong without being violent
September 5 at 9:10pm · Comment · Like

The purpose of the attack was to unseat Mayor Daley, who announced his retirement 4 days before 9/11/2010, the initial date the attack was to take place.

Recent news:

FBI vs Jesse Jackson Jr. (also running for mayor):
“That’s not what he told the Feds. Whoopsie-daisies. Just last week he was telling the FBI to “bring it on” in an arrogance-packed speech presumably in preparation for a shot at Daley’s seat, just fresh off a meeting with Rahm Emanuel. Guess they listened.” (source)

Rahm Emanuel: (allegedly running for mayor)
Emanuel, who would be running to replace Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, could depart by early October, after Congress leaves for recess to campaign for the midterm elections, the people said on condition of anonymity.” (source)

My full article posted here...
http://deadlinelive.info/2010/09/21/fbi-guided-and-funded-attack-to-unse...

I guess bad guys are hard to find...

I guess bad guys are hard to find, so they have to create them. It would be so much easier to just grab the high government officials involved with all the real criminal and terrorist activity.