One of FBI's top suspects from Indiana
By Jeanne Hovanec
The IUPUI Sagamore (Indiana U. - Purdue U. at Indianapolis)
10/22/2001

(U-WIRE) BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — One of the FBI's most wanted terrorists was born in Bloomington, Ind., when his father studied at Indiana University.

Abdul Rahman Yasin was featured on a recent edition of "America's Most Wanted" as one of 22 terrorists singled out by President George W. Bush for atrocities committed in the United States.

Yasin has been indicted in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

Born in 1960, Yasin lived in Bloomington for one year while his father, Said Taha Yasin, attended IU. Before leaving the university in Sept. 1961, the elder Yasin earned a Ph.D in education.

The Yasin family left the United States that same year after staying 10 years in Bloomington.

The family then moved to Iraq.

Abdul Rahman Yasin has been featured on A"merica's Most Wanted" four times as a suspect in previous terrorist activities. The television show reports that Yasin mixed the chemicals that were used in the 1993 bombing.

Officials believe Yasin returned to the United States in 1992 when he acquired an American passport. He reportedly operates under the aliases Abdul Rahman Said Yasin, Aboud Yasin, Abdul Rahman S. Taha and Abdul Rahman S. Taher. He takes medication for epilepsy and might have a chemical burn on his right thigh, the television show reported.

The Diplomatic Security Services division of the U.S. state department has issued a $5 million reward for Yasin and considers him armed and dangerous.

The urgency to air the show came at the request of the White House. This is the first time in the FBI's history that it has created a list specifically of wanted terrorists.

"This is a move by the FBI to bring attention to these people. Middle America has not paid much attention to them," said Paula Simpson, a producer for "America's Most Wanted." "The FBI is using this momentum of the recent Sept. 11 bombings to bring attention to the terrorists who may or may not have had anything to do with the recent bombings."

Although Yasin is featured on the FBI's list, Simpson says there is no proof he had anything to do with the Sept. 11 attacks.

"It is the understanding that Yasin is wanted for the '93 bombing," she said. "There is no reason to believe that the he is associated with the recent bombings. However, because of his past, there is a possibility. But no one has come out and said he was a part of the attacks."

The FBI has yet to release information on any terrorists who they think took part in the recent terrorist acts.

A spokesman for the Indianapolis FBI field office, said the state has little interest in pursuing Yasin.

"From the law enforcement perspective, it is of no consequence," said Special Agent Doug Garrison said. "This guy left Indiana long ago and has no connection to community activity or interest here."

Copyright ©2001 The IUPUI Sagamore via UWire

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