Two American brothers of Pakistani descent have been arrested in Florida for plotting to provide material support to terrorists and to use a weapon of mass destruction within the US.
Arrested in Fort Lauderdale in Florida on Thursday the two brothers - Raees Alam Qazi, 20, and Sheheryar Alam Qazi, 30 - who are naturalized American citizens from Pakistan were produced before a court yesterday, the US authorities said.
The charge of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists carries a maximum potential sentence of 15 years in prison; while that of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction carries a maximum potential sentence of life in prison.
From July 2011 the two brothers conspired to provide material support and resources - including property, services, funding, lodging, communications equipment, personnel and transportation - knowing and intending that this support be used in preparation for and in carrying out a violation of law - namely, a conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, the indictment alleges.
The indictment further alleges that during this time frame the defendants conspired to use a weapon of mass destruction (explosives) against persons and property within the US, the Department of Justice said.