The man accused of attempting to help bomb subway systems in the Washington area pleaded not guilty Tuesday at his arraignment in U.S. District Court.
Farooque Ahmed, 34, is charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization, collecting information to assist in planning a terrorist attack on a transit facility and attempting to provide material support “to help carry out multiple bombings to cause mass casualties” at Washington Metro stations in the vicinity of the Pentagon.
He was arrested last month at a hotel in Herndon, Virginia, authorities said.
The FBI said Ahmed had conducted surveillance for undercover agents whom he believed to be al Qaeda co-conspirators.
At his hearing Tuesday, Ahmed — wearing a green prison jumpsuit and sporting a bushy black beard — said only, “Yes, sir,” when asked by the judge to confirm his signature on a document waiving his right to a speedy trial.
A not-guilty plea was entered by attorney Todd Richman on Ahmed’s behalf.
A jury trial is set to begin April 11, 2011. Ahmed will remain in custody pending trial.
Full story: Accused would-be DC metro bomber pleads not guilty in federal court