Christians Under Attack

Muslim-convert Paul Rockwood and his wife Nadia had allegedly put together the names of people they believed were anti-Muslim and had harmed Muslim civilians and therefore deserved to die.

The Alaska couple pleaded guilty to charges of lying to federal investigators about their compilation of the list, when they appeared in court in Anchorage.

Paul Rockwood, a National Weather Service employee, converted to Islam at the end of 2001, according to court documents, and became a strict disciple of extreme cleric Anwar al Awlaki.

The Yemeni-based cleric, who is US born, has been accused of inspiring a string of terror attacks, including the 2009 shooting attack at Fort Hood military base, and last year's failed Christmas Day attack on an American airliner.

"This included a personal conviction that it was his religious responsibility to exact revenge by death on anyone who desecrated Islam," the document said.

Cleric Anwar al Awlaki

Paul Rockwood began researching explosive devices and, by late 2009, was discussing "committing acts of domestic terrorism, including... the use of mail bombs and the possibility of killing targets by gunshot to the head".

By early 2010, he had drawn up the list of some 15 specific targets, which may have included US soldiers, the documents allege.

Mrs Rockwood was aware of her husband's extreme views, they said.

Under a plea deal, Paul Rockwood would get an eight-year prison sentence while his wife will get five years on probation, serving her sentence in Britain.

The judge did not finalise the agreement and set sentencing for a later date.

Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said the individuals on the list had been warned and "appropriate steps" taken to keep them safe

 

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