US: Accused bomber called terrorist by father in 2014

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

The father of a suspected New York and New Jersey bomber identified his son as a terrorist threat to authorities two years ago, he said Tuesday.

Mohammad Rahami said he made the admission to the FBI in 2014 amid concerns Ahmad Khan Rahami stabbed his brother.

“Two years ago I go to the FBI because my son was doing really bad, OK?” he said. “But they check almost two months, they say, ‘He’s OK, he’s clean, he’s not a terrorist.’ I say OK,” he told reporters outside his restaurant in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

“Now they say he is a terrorist. I say OK,” he added.

The New York Times reported that a notebook in the younger Rahami’s possession after a shootout with New Jersey police contained extremist writings, including one passage related to “killing the kuffar,” an Arabic term for non-Muslims that translats as “unbeliever”.

Rahami’s wife, Asia Bibi Rahami, and his mother reportedly left the U.S. days before the attacks were carried out, raising additional questions about the bombings in Chelsea and the Jersey shore.

His wife is said to be cooperating with authorities in the United Arab Emirates, CNN said, citing U.S. officials.

ABC News reported Rahami’s mother departed the U.S. for Turkey and has not yet returned.

Rahami also repeatedly traveled abroad to visit Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to reports.

Twenty-nine people were injured in the Chelsea bombing, but none were injured in New Jersey.

The suspected bomber is a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Afghanistan.