Bedouin accused of contacting al-Qaeda
Tel Sheva resident charged with attempting to make contact with foreign agent from global terror groups. According to indictment, man tried to start terror cell which would carry out suicide bombing in Beersheba
Cleared for publication: The Beersheba District Court on Friday indicted Khaled Abu Rakaiek, a 23-year-old of the Tel Sheva local Bedouin council, for attempting to contact a foreign agent from the Global Jihad and al-Qaeda terror organizations.
The young man, a former student at the Technological College of Beer Sheva, tried to start a terror cell which would carry out suicide bombings in Israel.
According to the indictment, Abu Rakaiek began drawing closer to Islam in 2002. During his studies at the Beersheba college, he acquired knowledge in computers and design and started surfing in websites affiliated with the two terror organizations.
On one of the websites he met an al-Qaeda member from Gaza nicknamed Abu Balal, and the two discussed terror attacks. Abu Rakaiek also downloaded to his computer films documenting terror attacks committed by the Global Jihad organization.
In 2004, Abu Rakaiek decided to establish a military cell which would plan and carry out suicide bombings within the State of Israel. For this purpose, he downloaded guidance films for the preparation of explosive belts.
At a certain stage, Abu Rakaiek turned to a fellow student and suggested that he join his cell and carry out a suicide bombing in Beersheba's central bus station. The friend turned down the offer.
In another incident in 2006, Abu Rakaiek planned to produce an explosive device and plant it east of the Tel Sheva community, where IDF jeeps tend to travel. The plan was never executed.
'His family is loyal to the State'
Abu Rakaiek was arrested on July 29 by the Southern District Police and Shin Bet. His defense attorney, Samir Abu Abde, said that his client denied the allegations.
"He comes from a good family of people who are loyal to the State," the lawyer said, adding that he has yet to receive all the investigation material.
About a month ago, six Israeli Arabs, four of them residents of east Jerusalem, were indicted of planning to operate an al-Qaeda cell in Israel. Among the suspects are students at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
All the suspects were charged with membership in a terror organization. Some of them will be tried for aiding the enemy at a time of war, possessing propaganda material in favor of a terror organization, soliciting and attempting to solicit others to join a terror organization.
In early July, two residents of the southern Israeli town of Rahat were indicted for allegedly being al-Qaeda operatives. Taher and Omar Abu-Sakut, who are registered members of the Islamic Movement, were arrested following a joint Shin Bet, police and Border Guard operation that took place in June.
