US soldier faces charges in bomb plot

Aug 9, 2011, 23:14 GMT

Washington - A court in Texas indicted a US soldier Tuesday in connection with a plot to detonate a bomb to kill soldiers near Fort Hood.

Naser Jason Abdo is charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device and possession of a firearm while a fugitive.

The Army private had gone absent without leave from his posting at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, when he was arrested in July with a gun and bomb-making components. Authorities say he planned to blow up a restaurant frequented by soldiers in Kileen, Texas, right outside the sprawling Fort Hood base.

Abdo, a Muslim, had reportedly sought to be discharged from the military because of his religious beliefs, but that process had been delayed because of child pornography charges against him.

A 2009 shooting spree left 13 people dead and dozens wounded at Fort Hood after an Army psychiatrist opened fire on soldiers preparing to be sent overseas. Abdo had shouted the name of that gunman while appearing in court after his arrest.

Killeen police arrested Abdo after receiving a call from a gun-shop owner about a suspicious individual who asked questions about ammunition before buying three boxes of 12-gauge ammunition and a magazine for a pistol with cash.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a 250,000-dollar fine, the Justice Department said.