Read the indictment against Mohammad Zazi

The federal indictment against Mohammad Zazi is a lot less substantial than the one handed to his son, terror suspect Najibullah Zazi. The gist of the false statement charge against Mohammad reads as follows: "Defendant ZAZI denied that he spoke with anyone by telephone regarding whether Najibullah Zazi was in...

By Michael Roberts

October 9, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The federal indictment against Mohammad Zazi is a lot less substantial than the one handed to his son, terror suspect Najibullah Zazi. The gist of the false statement charge against Mohammad reads as follows: "Defendant ZAZI denied that he spoke with anyone by telephone regarding whether Najibullah Zazi was in any trouble, when, in fact, on or about September 11, 2009, defendant ZAZI did speak by telephone with a person regarding whether Najibullah Zazi was in any trouble."

Yes, that's apparently the best they can do. Clearly, they'd like to put as much pressure on Najibullah as possible, even if it means coming down on his father for keeping mum about a phone call. Read the latest document by clicking here, and check out the U.S. Justice Department release below.

MOHAMMED ZAZI INDICTED FOR FALSE STATEMENT INVOLVING INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TERRORISM

DENVER -- Mohammed Zazi, age 53, who is presently residing in Aurora, Colorado, was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Denver for making a false statement in a matter involving international and domestic terrorism, United States Attorney David Gaouette and Denver FBI Special Agent in Charge James Davis announced. Zazi is presently free on a $50,000 unsecured bond, with the condition that he be under electronic monitoring by the court. He is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Denver (at 901 19th Street) tomorrow, Friday, October 9, 2009, at 1:30 pm, in Courtroom A201 before Magistrate Judge Craig B. Shaffer.

Mohammed Wali Zazi was first arrested by the FBI based on a Criminal Complaint filed on Saturday, September 19, 2009. He was indicted today, October 8, 2009.

According to the indictment, on or about September 16, 2009, Mohammed Zazi did knowingly and willfully make a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Specifically, Mohammed Zazi allegedly denied that he spoke with anyone by telephone regarding whether Najibullah Zazi was in any trouble, when, in fact, on or about September 11, 2009, he did speak by telephone with a person regarding whether Najibullah Zazi was in any trouble.

If convicted of the charge, Mohammed Zazi faces not more than 8 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, or both.

The Zazi case is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Forces in Denver and New York. Substantial assistance has also been provided by the Counterterrorism Section of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mohammed Zazi is being prosecuted by United States Attorney David Gaouette, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tim Neff and Greg Holloway, and Counterterrorism Trial Attorney William Narus. Najibullah Zazi is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

These charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo