‘Video surfaces of alleged Saudi agent tied to 9/11 survivors’ | World News
A survivor of the 9/11 attacks has raised questions about a video seized by British detectives from an early suspect 23 years ago. The previously unseen film, shot by the suspect, shows him wandering around US government buildings in Washington DC two years before the attacks.
The suspect filmed various government landmarks and security guards, giving a commentary in Arabic along the way. He also recorded a low-flying plane, mentioning an airport nearby. The hour-long video ends at the Capitol building, where he focused on two limousines.
Omar al-Bayoumi was identified by the FBI as a Saudi intelligence agent. He denies any involvement in 9/11.
The suspect, identified as Omar al-Bayoumi, was a mature Saudi student living in Birmingham at the time of his arrest by Scotland Yard officers. Despite being questioned for seven days, he was released without charge. Al-Bayoumi denies being a Saudi intelligence agent or having any role in the 9/11 attacks.
Recently, the video was shown during a court case in New York where 9/11 victims and families are suing the Saudi government for complicity. The plaintiffs’ legal team obtained the tape from the Metropolitan Police archives.
A still from the video
Sharon Premoli, a 9/11 survivor, listened to parts of the tape during the court hearing and found the suspect’s language incriminating. She believes the video shows surveillance rather than touristic activities.
Pic: Reuters
The notebook and video were not shared with the 9/11 Commission, which criticized the FBI and CIA for their handling of the investigation. Robbyn Swan, co-author of a book on 9/11, believes the evidence supports the idea of Saudi involvement in supporting the hijackers.
The Saudi government has denied any involvement in the attacks, but questions remain about the handling and sharing of evidence related to the case.
