Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TIRANA690
2009-10-20 13:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:  

ALBANIA ARRESTS LOCAL IMAM FOR PROMOTING TERRORISM

Tags:  PTER PINS KCRM KHLS KISL AL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5340
OO RUEHIK
DE RUEHTI #0690 2931352
ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZFD
O 201352Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8535
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNOSC/ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY COOPERATION IN EUROPE PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0846
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS TIRANA 000690 

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - ADDED SPECIAL CAPTION "SENSITIVE"

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PINS KCRM KHLS KISL AL
SUBJECT: ALBANIA ARRESTS LOCAL IMAM FOR PROMOTING TERRORISM

UNCLAS TIRANA 000690

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - ADDED SPECIAL CAPTION "SENSITIVE"

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PINS KCRM KHLS KISL AL
SUBJECT: ALBANIA ARRESTS LOCAL IMAM FOR PROMOTING TERRORISM


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Albanian authorities arrested a local imam,
Artan Kristo AKA Muhammad Abdullah Al-Albani, on 12 October
2009, based on allegations that he had incited religious
hatred and propagated terrorist acts. According to local
press accounts, Kristo made appeals for terrorist acts on the
AlbSelafi.net on-line forum. Albania's General Prosecutor's
Office stated that the investigation into Kristo's activities
started in July 2009 and is ongoing.
END SUMMARY.

KRISTO'S BACKGROUND
=============================

2. (SBU) Kristo is an Albanian national and Selafist leader.
He is also the leader of a Takfiri jama'at in Durres,
Albania. He ran a webpage for an Islamic ministry called
"Direction and Light" (Udhezimi dhe Drita) and posted his
sermons on YouTube. Furthermore, he was the leading suspect
in the 2003 murder of Sali Tivar, former General Secretary of
the Albanian Muslim Community (AMC). Kristo had formerly
worked in 2002 as a representative of the El-Haramain
Foundation, an Islamic charity with alleged ties to Al-Qaida.
The El-Haramain offices in Albania were closed in 2004 and
the charity was banned after the Department of State included
it on the terrorist watch list.

JUDICIAL PROCESS
==============================

3. (SBU) Kristo was detained in Durres, Albania and
transferred to Tirana on 12 October. He appeared in court on
14 October and was formally charged with inciting religious
hatred. Kristo will remain in Tirana for ten days to one
month, after which he will be transferred back to Durres
where he will remain in jail before and during his trial.
Durres holds jurisdiction over the case due to Kristo's home
and business establishments.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ARREST
===============================

4. (SBU) While historically Albanians have practiced a
traditional, tolerant form of Sunni and Bektashi Islam, a
third more radical school has been gradually introduced. The
Selafi sect of Islam is followed by a very small minority
within Albania and is associated with imams who studied in
the Middle East after the collapse of communism. In recent
years Albania has blocked several bank accounts and other
assets of foreigners and Albanians working in Albania with
links to terrorist activities, and organizations which were
designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations.
Kristo's arrest reflects Albania,s anti-extremist stance.
The arrest also supports its commitment to NATO and European
Union anti-terrorist objectives.
WITHERS