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FBI agent says Indonesian linked to attacks

By Brad Wright
CNN

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (CNN) -- A federal agent testified Monday that an Indonesian facing charges of documentation fraud and violating immigration laws had ties to two suspects in the September 11 attacks.

FBI Special Agent Jesus Gomez told a preliminary detention hearing for Agus Budiman that the 31-year-old immigrant knew someone officials think may have helped suspected ringleaders Mohamed Atta and Marwan al-Shehhi plan the attacks.

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When Budiman's court-appointed lawyer heard the testimony, he asked the court to be recused from the case.

"I'm a retired Army officer," said Budiman's attorney, Greg English. "I can't in good conscience represent anyone accused of terrorist activity against the United States."

English said Budiman did not tell him about his possible associations. He thought Budiman's was a "run of the mill" immigration fraud case, English said.

The federal judge hearing the case ended the proceeding after only 10 minutes, before Gomez could complete his testimony.

Magistrate Theresa Buchanan granted English's request and rescheduled the hearing for Thursday. As of Monday afternoon, Budiman had not retained new counsel, court officials said.

Gomez testified that Budiman's associations took place in Hamburg, Germany, when Budiman lived there more than a year ago.

Budiman was friends in Germany with Ramzi Binalshibh, an "imam" or religious leader, Gomez testified.

Binalshibh is a fugitive whom authorities believe might have played a role in planning the September 11 attacks.

Binalshibh twice tried to use Budiman's passport to enter the United States but failed both times, Gomez testified.

Attorney General John Ashcroft told reporters last month Binalshibh's connections to the hijackers are "extensive." FBI Director Robert Mueller has called Binalshibh "the 20th hijacker" who was supposed to have taken part in the attacks but could not get into the country.

Budiman, arrested for overstaying a visitor's visa and illegally taking a job as a delivery driver, arrived in the United States in October 2000. He was accompanied by Mohammad Belfas, who also is wanted by federal authorities in connection with the attacks.

Budiman is accused of falsifying documents to help Belfas get a Virginia driver's license.