FBI zeroes in on 5 ‘martyrs’

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – A chilling videotape of an alleged member of al-Qaida, cradling a rifle, eyes closed, is among videos and photos of five suspects delivering what authorities call “martyrdom messages from suicide terrorists.”

Attorney General John Ashcroft released the videos and photos Thursday, urging the public to help “identify, locate and incapacitate terrorists who are suspected of planning additional attacks against innocent civilians.”

One of those depicted was an associate of hijacking ringleader Mohammed Atta. Authorities believe the man intended to take part in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Ashcroft said the videotapes were recovered recently in Afghanistan from the rubble of the home of Mohammad Atef, believed to have been Osama bin Laden’s military chief. Officials say Atef was killed by a U.S. airstrike in November.

In one video a man buries his head in his arms for moment. The next image is of the same man, eyes closed, hugging a rifle. He leans his face close to the barrel, his lips appearing to touch it. He then looks up and smiles.

The rifle strap is inscribed with Arabic writing that the man seems to be showing off. Officials did not transcribe the message.

Ashcroft said preliminary translations of statements from the men indicated they may have been trained and prepared for attacks.

“The videotapes depict young men delivering what appear to be martyrdom messages from suicide terrorists,” Ashcroft said.

A law enforcement source said the men did not specify what would be attacked, used anti-American rhetoric and spoke of a hatred of “infidels.”

Authorities don’t know where the men are or whether they were killed in the bombing raids. There is no evidence they ever entered the United States; the Atta associate tried to enter the country three times last year but was unsuccessful.

“These men could be anywhere in the world,” Ashcroft said, urging viewers to call the FBI or an American consulate if they think they’ve seen any of them.