Never Forget: FBI starts declassifying docs into Saudi 9/11 connection
After President Biden’s order, the FBI has started declassifying documents related to its investigation of the 9/11 attacks.
The first of the several upcoming documents reveals the connection between at least two of the hijackers, a Saudi intelligence agent in Los Angeles and the Saudi Consulate.
The revelation shows the alleged logistical support given by the Consulate to the agent and then to two of the hijackers.
The document from a 2016 FBI investigation details on the multiple connections and a witness testimony that made the FBI suspicious of Omar-Al-Bayoumi.
Bayoumi was a Saudi student in Los Angeles and under suspicion of being a Saudi intelligence agent.
The document highlights him of thoroughly providing lodging, travel assistance and financing to help two of the hijackers.
The Saudi Embassy has released a statement welcoming the declassification but has also “categorically” denied any allegations into Saudi Arabia’s role.
The brave families of the victims have long asked for the declassification, and very recently asked President Biden to only come at the 20th anniversary ceremonies after releasing the information into Saudi Arabia’s role.
The Department of Justice announced a review after receiving the letter, and said it would release previously unreleased documents (it can) to the public.
Fifteen out of the nineteen hijackers were Saudi nationals and Osama bin Laden was also from an influential and wealthy Saudi family, and his terrorist organization also allegedly received money from rich Saudis in the 90s.
The first declassified document though does not reveal any official Saudi involvement but does not eliminate it as well, as the Saudi national in question who was also an intelligence agent was funding and giving massive logistical support to two of the hijackers.
The two hijackers had entered the US in 2000 by pretending to be students and then went onto get support from Bayoumi who according to witnesses was a very frequent visitor to the Consulate in Los Angeles even though his legal status was of a student.
The FBI were told that Bayoumi had quite a “high status” at the Consulate, and his assistance to the hijackers ranged from translation, to travel, to financing, etc.
An Imam (Muslim cleric) from the King Fahad Mosque in Los Angeles also had links to the two hijackers.
According to the document, he was described by sources as having extremist beliefs.
All previous administrations citing national security reasons, had declined the declassification requests by the relatives, but last week President Biden ordered a review and told officials to release whatever they could over the next six months.
The 9/11 commission report however, found no evidence of the Saudi government’s involvement, but at the same time the families of the victims have the right to get answers and justice.
The revelations in the first document even though rely on interviews and a classified source, indicate that just how deep the involvement could have been, and that things aren’t as simple as we’ve been told.