Case Studies with Questions and Answers
Chapter 11: Informants
In 2004 Shahawar Matin Siraj, a Pakistani American who planned to bomb the Herald Square of Manhattan, NY was found guilty of plotting to commit a terrorist act. His apprehension was accredited to an informant by the name of Osama Eldawoody, a fellow Muslim. Eldawoody had been working along-side NYPD investigators to unveil Siraj's attempt.
The trial received significant attention from local media outlets due to the Siraj's defense, entrapment. According to Siraj, Eldawoody had provoked Siraj into committing a crime against American citizens and felt that had it not been for Eldawoody the event never would have taken place. Allegations of Eldawoody editing his surveillance tapes to avoid any self-incrimination also came up during the trial.
Siraj was not successful in his defense and was eventually found guilty of four counts which included attempted bombings and conspiracy.