Faker Boussora

Faker Ben Abdelazziz Boussora (Arabic: فاكر بن عبد العزيز بوصرّة) born March 22, 1964, in Tunisia[1] is a Canadian citizen,[2] and a senior member of al-Qaeda. He also went by the name Abu Yusif al-Tunisi. The US Department of State has authorized a reward of $5 million under the Rewards For Justice Program for information leading to the arrest of Faker Ben Adbelazziz Boussora. [3][4]

Faker Boussora
FBI photo of Faker Boussora
Born
Faker Ben Abdelazziz Boussora

(1964-03-22) March 22, 1964
Tunisia

In early 2002, he was the subject of an international manhunt, one week after his Montreal companion Abderraouf Jdey was identified as the fifth person seen on a videotape found in Afghanistan, pledging to die as a shaheed. Together with Jdey, Boussora was placed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's newly created FBI Seeking Information – Terrorism list, along with the other four subjects of the videotape, even though Boussora was not otherwise connected to the group.

Life

Boussora left Tunisia in 1988, and moved to France.[1] In 1991 he moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada on a student visa,[5] where he attended the Assuna Mosque, and may have met with Raouf Hannachi.[6][7] Living in a Montreal suite,[8] he continued making routine trips back home to Tunisia until 1999, when he received Canadian citizenship, and left Canada for an undisclosed location. Believed to have a serious pituitary gland illness causing "extremely poor health",[1][9] authorities allege he trained at an Afghan training camp before subsequently returning to Canada.[1]

Upon his return, Boussora rented a second-floor apartment above a tailor shop owned by Hasidic Jews.[10] During his absence, and even following his departure from Canada, mail still arrived at his old suite from the Middle East addressed to him.[8] In November 2001, he left Canada, believed to be bound for Europe, possibly together with Jdey.[11]

It was the first time authorities had reason to suspect him of any wrongdoing.[12] Already under fire for issuing "excessive and somewhat alarmist" warnings about terrorists plotting against the United States, Attorney General John Ashcroft stated that Jdey and Boussora should be considered "extremely dangerous".[13]

A month after Jdey and Boussora were declared fugitives, the Republic of Turkey announced that the pair may be within their borders.[14]

References
  1. "Faker Ben Abdelazziz Boussora". National Counterterrorism Center. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01.
  2. Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Summary of the Security Intelligence Report concerning Hassan Almrei, February 22, 2008.
  3. Department Of State. The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs. "Rewards For Justice Offering New Rewards". 2001-2009.state.gov. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  4. Edmonton Sun, "A Short Glossary of some Key People and Groups Involved in Terrorism", September 9, 2005
  5. Leiken, Robert S.; Brooke, Steven. "Matrix of terror suspects". Nixoncenter.org. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13.
  6. Hayder, Mili (July 28, 2005). "Securing the Northern Front: Canada and the War on Terror" (PDF). Jamestown.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-11-16.
  7. Leser, Eric. Le Monde, "Deux ans de traque n'ont pu réduire la menace terroriste d'Al-Qaida", September 10, 2003
  8. "New Al-Qaeda Link Allegation Stuns Montreal". CBC News. January 27, 2002.
  9. "Seeking Information Alert for FAKER BEN ABDELAZZIZ BOUSSORA". Fbi.gov. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  10. "Analysis: Concern of US officials about security lapses in Canada". National Public Radio, All Things Considered. August 2, 2002.
  11. Hickerson, Colin (February 4, 2003). "US wary of 'time bombs' waiting to strike from north". Boston Globe.
  12. "Two Canadians among fugitive al-Qaeda members". Cbc.ca. January 26, 2002.
  13. Lichtblau, Eric (January 26, 2002). "2 Canadians tied to terrorist plots". Los Angeles Times.
  14. "Turks: Al Qaeda Men Planning Israel Attack". Fox News. February 20, 2002.
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