Ahmad Rahami, suspected New York bomber, cited al-Qaeda and ISIS, officials say

The father of Ahmed Rahami, Mohammad Rahami. (Tariq Zehawi/Northjersey.com via AP)

WASHINGTON POST

-- Ahmad Rahami was formally charged with using weapons of mass destruction and bombing in a public place, along with seven other counts stemming from the attacks in Manhattan and New Jersey. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. (Ellen Nakashima, Mark Berman and William Wan) Rahami left 12 fingerprints on one of the bombs he planted and purchased materials for his bombs under his own name on eBay, according to federal charging documents. Mr. Rahami had been meticulously planning his attack since at least June, according to the complaint. 

The FBI said Rahami was investigated as a possible terrorist two years ago after concerns were raised by his father, citing his son’s interest in terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda and his fascination with jihadist music, poetry and videos. Rahami'sfather recanted his charge when he was first interviewed by the FBI, saying he made the statements in the heat of an argument and that he was referring to his son being a terrorist as  like he was a gangster. The revelation marks the second time this year, and the fourth time since 2013, that the bureau acknowledged it investigated someone who later carried out an act of terror.

Rahami may have been radicalized while in Afghanistan and Pakistan during a nine month stay between 2011 and 2014: Rahami and his brothers spent time with their grandfather in Afghanistan in 2012, their father said. “An item described as a handwritten journal was found on Rahami after the shootout. Included in this was a reference to Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born cleric who was a top leader for al-Qaeda … The journal included notes that the FBI was looking for him, discussed shooting police and said he was praying to Allah ‘to not take JIHAD away.’" (More from Ellen, Mark and William)

Mr. Rahami’s wife, Asia, who left the country days before the bombing, is now in the United Arab Emirates. She provided a statement to the F.B.I., according to officials, and the authorities are working to bring her back into the country as soon as possible.

The F.B.I. believes Mr. Rahami acted alone but is trying to speak with everyone who knew him.

It was unclear when Mr. Rahami married his wife, but after returning from a nearly yearlong visit to Pakistan in March 2014, he was increasingly desperate to get her into the country.

It was unknown when her visa issue was resolved. But in August 2014, Mr. Rahami got into a fight with his family, during which he stabbed his brother in the leg with a knife, court records show. He was jailed, but the case was dismissed.