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Indictment says Walker Lindh knew of attacks

Walker Lindh during his interview with CNN shortly after he was captured in early December.

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (CNN) -- About two months before the September 11 terror attacks, John Walker Lindh learned Osama bin Laden had "sent forth some 50 people to carry out 20 suicide terrorist operations against the United States and Israel," according to a federal indictment Tuesday.

The indictment provided the most specific information to date alleging that Walker Lindh -- a 20-year-old Californian captured in Afghanistan alongside Taliban and al Qaeda fighters -- had prior knowledge to the attacks but did nothing to stop them.

"Lindh remained at the al-Farooq camp and participated fully in its training activities, after having been told early in his stay at the camp" about bin Laden's plans, the indictment said.

The indictment alleged Walker Lindh was at the al-Farooq terrorist camp, an al Qaeda facility situated several hours west of Kandahar, when he learned of the terror plot in June or July last year. It did not elaborate on how he learned of it or what specifically he was told.

Walker Lindh arrived at the camp with about 20 other trainees, mostly Saudi Arabians.

According to the indictment, he and the others took terror-training courses in "weapons, orienteering, navigation, explosives and battlefield combat, which included the use of shoulder weapons, pistols, rocket-propelled grenades, and the construction of Molotov cocktails."

VIDEO Attorney General John Ashcroft announces federal grand jury indictment against John Walker Lindh (February 5) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   MORE STORIES • American Taliban indicted on 10 counts  • Lawyers seek U.S. Taliban fighter's release pending  • People in the News: John Walker Lindh    EXTRA INFORMATION • Read the 10-count indictment: U.S. v. Walker Lindh (FindLaw) • Read the transcript: Ashcroft press conference (February 5) • Timeline: American Taliban John Walker Lindh

During his stay at the camp, Walker Lindh "swore allegiance to jihad" and soon afterward received a visit from bin Laden himself, according to the indictment.

"In or about June or July 2001, Lindh met personally with bin Laden, who thanked him and other trainees for taking part in jihad," the indictment said.

Around this time, Walker Lindh met with a senior al Qaeda official, identified as Abu Mohammad Al-Masri, who asked the American "whether he was interested in traveling outside Afghanistan to conduct operations against the United States and Israel," according to the indictment.

"Lindh declined in favor of going to the front lines to fight," the indictment said.

He was issued a rifle and sent with about 150 other non-Afghan fighters to the front lines in northern Afghanistan, where he was under the command of an Iraqi named Abdul Hady, according to the indictment.

The unit was eventually divided into smaller groups and rotated every two weeks at the front lines.

"After learning about the terrorist attacks against the United States on or about September 11, 2001, Lindh remained with his fighting group," the indictment said.

"Lindh did so despite having been told that bin Laden had ordered the attacks, that additional terrorist attacks were planned and that additional al Qaeda personnel were being sent from the training camps to the front lines to protect bin Laden and defend against an anticipated military response from the United States," the indictment continued.

By late November, Walker Lindh and his fighting group surrendered to the Northern Alliance, but a bloody uprising ensued at the facility where they were being held. CIA operative Mike Spann was killed in the uprising.

The grand jury from the Eastern District of Virginia returned the 10-count indictment against Lindh, including six new charges that included conspiracy to contribute services to al Qaeda, contributing services to al Qaeda, conspiracy to supply services to the Taliban and using and carrying firearms and destructive devices during crimes of violence.

The indictment also included charges from the original criminal complaint alleging he provided material support or resources to terrorists organizations, including al Qaeda, conspired to kill U.S. nationals abroad and engaged in transactions with the ousted Taliban regime. If convicted, he could receive up to three life sentences, plus 90 years in prison.

"In this indictment, the grand jury outlines a timeline of terror in which John Walker Lindh is an active knowing participant," said Attorney General John Ashcroft.

"Americans who love their country do not dedicate themselves to killing Americans. Today marks an important step for securing justice for John Walker Lindh."