Chicago man arrested, accused of al-Qaida aid

CHICAGO – A Chicago man was arrested on charges that he was about to travel overseas to fight alongside al-Qaida, possibly even to carry out a suicide bombing, federal authorities said Wednesday.

Shaker Masri, 26, a U.S. citizen who lived in a high-rise in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, was ordered held without bail by a federal judge as a danger and a flight risk.

A criminal complaint charged Masri with knowingly attempting to provide material support to al-Qaida and a second terrorist group based in Somalia and affiliated with al-Qaida.

An informant who played a key role in the investigation was instructed by the FBI to befriend Masri almost two years ago, according to the charges. Authorities didn’t explain why Masri was targeted at that point.

Dressed in an orange federal jumpsuit and blue canvas sneakers, the long-bearded Masri gave brief responses to a number of questions posed by Judge Geraldine Soat Brown Wednesday during an approximately 15-minute appearance in federal court. “Yeah, I do,” he said when the judge asked if he understood the penalties he faced.

Authorities said Masri had been scheduled to fly out of Midway Airport for Los Angeles Wednesday morning.

According to the complaint, the informant has assisted the FBI in counterterrorism efforts for almost three years. As of last month, he had been paid $40,000 to $45,000 for his help and expenses.