The FBI confirmed late Sunday that the kidnapping of hostages at a Texas synagogue the day before is being investigated as a "terrorism-related issue.
“This is a terrorism-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted, and is being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force,” the bureau said.
Malik Faisal Akram, 44, a British national, stormed inside the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, interrupting services and taking four hostages, authorities have said.
The Pakistan-born neuroscientist is serving an 86-year prison term after being convicted of attempting to murder and assault Americans in Afghanistan, according to a Livestream of his request.
Matt DeSarno, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Dallas office, told reporters that the suspect "was singularly focused on one issue, and it had nothing to do with the Jewish community."
“Other than what you heard on the Livestream, I’m not ready to add any more about the demands. They were specifically focused on one issue that was not specifically threatening to the Jewish community,” he added later.
17 Jan 2022
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