News Opinons

‘American Taliban’ Militant John Walker Lindh Released From Prison

John Walker Lindh, the captured Islamic militant who at age 20 journeyed to Afghanistan to join the Taliban and fought alongside the terrorists in the days after 9/11,  was released from a U.S. federal prison in Indiana on Thursday — despite lawmakers’ concerns about the “security and safety implications” of freeing an unrepentant terrorist who officials say continues to “openly call for extremist violence.”

Lindh, dubbed the “American Taliban,” had been serving his sentence at the Terre Haute, Indiana facility. He was discharged several years before completing the 20-year prison sentence he received for joining and supporting the Taliban, with officials citing “good behavior” for the early release. The former Islamist fighter and enemy combatant, named “Detainee 001 in the war on terror,” was captured alongside a group of Taliban fighters in 2001, just months after the Sept. 11 attacks and the start of the war in Afghanistan.


Armed man arrested at Trump golf course allegedly had first lady’s schedule, notes on Secret Service: reports
ATF investigates ‘major’ cybersecurity incident as ransomware group claims attack
Hawley rips Flock’s sprawling surveillance web as Texas cities cut cameras over privacy and data fears
HEAR IT: 911 call captures horrifying first moments of deadly shooting at Seattle’s Bite of Seattle festival
Justice Thomas recalls why he wasn’t friends with Alito in law school: ‘Clarence, you were scary’
Trump’s lawyers put Dem AG on notice for targeting his family in NY fraud fight: ‘Cannot stand’
Evacuation Ordered After Canadian-Owned Gas Pipeline Springs Major Leak in US
Former NBA Star Posts Shocking, Manic Videos Asking His Coach for ‘Help’
Wes Moore dealt redistricting setback by Larry Hogan-appointed judge
NFL owner’s prostitution arrest puts top Dem committee on defense: ‘So desperate for cash’
Haitian Gang Attack Leaves 47 Dead, At Least 50 Kidnapped
Former Texas high school teacher arrested after probe into inappropriate student relationship
Jelly Roll Doubles Down, Tells Trump Supporters to Stop Listening to His Music
Judge clears path for ICE agent accused in Minnesota shooting case to leave Texas jail
Watch: UK Royal Family Stages Incredible Tribute to Dolly Parton at Buckingham Palace
See also  Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game after courtside confrontation with WNBA player

“We must consider the security and safety implications for our citizens and communities who will receive individuals like John Walker Lindh, who continue to openly call for extremist violence,” Sens. Richard C. Shelby, R-Ala., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., wrote in a letter to the Federal Bureau of Prisons late last week that was obtained by the Washington Post.


In the letter, the lawmakers reportedly sought details on how the agency is working to prevent prisoners such as Lindh from committing additional crimes after their release. They also asked which other “terrorist offenders” are next in line to be freed and how the Federal Bureau of Prisons determines whether or not someone is an “ongoing public threat.”


Armed man arrested at Trump golf course allegedly had first lady’s schedule, notes on Secret Service: reports
ATF investigates ‘major’ cybersecurity incident as ransomware group claims attack
Hawley rips Flock’s sprawling surveillance web as Texas cities cut cameras over privacy and data fears
HEAR IT: 911 call captures horrifying first moments of deadly shooting at Seattle’s Bite of Seattle festival
Justice Thomas recalls why he wasn’t friends with Alito in law school: ‘Clarence, you were scary’
Trump’s lawyers put Dem AG on notice for targeting his family in NY fraud fight: ‘Cannot stand’
Evacuation Ordered After Canadian-Owned Gas Pipeline Springs Major Leak in US
Former NBA Star Posts Shocking, Manic Videos Asking His Coach for ‘Help’
Wes Moore dealt redistricting setback by Larry Hogan-appointed judge
NFL owner’s prostitution arrest puts top Dem committee on defense: ‘So desperate for cash’
Haitian Gang Attack Leaves 47 Dead, At Least 50 Kidnapped
Former Texas high school teacher arrested after probe into inappropriate student relationship
Jelly Roll Doubles Down, Tells Trump Supporters to Stop Listening to His Music
Judge clears path for ICE agent accused in Minnesota shooting case to leave Texas jail
Watch: UK Royal Family Stages Incredible Tribute to Dolly Parton at Buckingham Palace
See also  US threatens Belgian university over suspension of academic who exposed Jason Arday fraud

Lindh has been blamed for playing a role in the death of Johnny “Mike” Spann, a U.S Marine turned CIA paramilitary operative who became the first American to be killed in combat in Afghanistan, amid the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Spann’s daughter, Allison, told Fox News in March that Lindh’s early release “feels like such a slap in the face.”

This is a developing story; please check back for updates.

Story cited here.

Share this article:
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter