MANHATTAN (CN) - Ahmed Abassi, of Tunisia, lied on a visa application "in order to facilitate an act of international terrorism," the United States says in a 2-count indictment.
"Abassi completed a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, falsely stating that he intended to remain in the United States for employment, when in fact he sought to remain in the United States to facilitate an act of international terrorism," according to the indictment.
Abassi entered the United States from Canada in March and was arrested at JFK Airport on April 22, The Associated Press reported. He allegedly met with two other men, one of them an undercover FBI agent, and planned to derail a train.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said Abassi was trying to develop a network of terrorists. He also wanted to poison water system to kill thousands of people, prosecutors said.
His alleged co-conspirator in the train plot, Chiheb Esseghaier, also of Tunisia, was arrested and charged in Toronto.
If convicted, Abassi faces up to 25 years in prison for each count.
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