Father Of Admitted Terrorist Najibullah Zazi Convicted Of Covering Up Subway Bomb Plot
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The father of an admitted terrorist has been convicted of trying to cover up his son's plan to bomb New York City subways by destroying evidence and lying to investigators.
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A Brooklyn jury found Mohammed Wali Zazi, the father of Najibullah Zazi, guilty Friday -- the second day of deliberations -- of conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
The 55-year-old was arrested in 2009 after his son and two other would-be suicide bombers trained by al-Qaida were accused of plotting to attack the subways. The son, who has pleaded guilty, called off the attack when he learned the FBI was watching him.
The elder Zazi was found guilty of lying to the FBI and taking part, along with other family members, in a cover-up and destruction of evidence - the evidence being bomb-making chemicals that Najibullah Zazi has stored in a relative's garage.
Prosecutors had argued to the jury that the FBI was frantically trying to unravel this plot and lost precious time due to the family cover-up.
Two other members of the Zazi family testified for the government as part of plea deals.
The elder Zazi denied ever knowing anything about his son's crimes.
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