Kenyan linked to DusitD2 attack set to be sentenced in US

By Newsflash Reporter

Cholo Abdi Abdullah, a 35-year-old convicted terrorist, has caused a delay in his sentencing after reversing his earlier decision to represent himself. Having previously declined legal counsel, he now seeks to hire new lawyers for this stage of his trial.

During his initial court proceedings, Abdi rejected both private and government-appointed attorneys, asserting that he did not recognize the legitimacy of the US justice system. However, in a private conference with US District Judge Analisa Torres last Monday, Abdi requested fresh legal representation for his sentencing.

“I was thinking of having new lawyers who will represent me… I don’t want these two lawyers to represent me. I want to start afresh,” he told the court. His change of stance has sparked speculation that he may be preparing to challenge his conviction and file an appeal.

Abdi faces a potential life sentence for three of the six charges against him, while the remaining three counts each carry a maximum of 20 years in prison.

From Al Shabaab recruit to convicted terrorist

Abdi was arrested on July 1, 2019, in Iba, a small municipality in the Philippines, before being extradited to the US, where he faced trial for planning a terrorist attack. At the time of his arrest, he appeared resigned to spending his life behind bars, possibly due to the overwhelming evidence against him. His case was initially brought to the attention of law enforcement when his own mother reported his affiliation with the Somalia-based terror group Al Shabaab to the Kenyan authorities.

During his trial in Manhattan before Judge Torres, Abdi pleaded not guilty but stated that he would not challenge the prosecution’s case. He also refused to hire a lawyer for his December 16, 2020, arraignment before Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger or for the trial that followed.

Despite the possibility of an appeal, his conviction on six terrorism-related charges remains, with a life sentence still looming.

A chilling terror plot uncovered

Abdi’s arrest was the result of a coordinated investigation involving intelligence agencies from Kenya, the US, and the Philippines. When apprehended, he was found in possession of a loaded firearm, additional ammunition, an explosive device, and materials for manufacturing bombs and grenades.

After his capture, Abdi cooperated with authorities, revealing his connections within Al Shabaab and the group’s plans. Investigations showed that he had joined the militant organization in 2015 and initially trained as a fighter before relocating to the Philippines a year later to undergo pilot training. His aviation studies at the All-Asia Aviation Academy were fully funded by Al Shabaab leaders, with the intent of preparing him for a large-scale terror attack.

Abdi was nearing the completion of his two-year aviation course when he was arrested. He had already obtained a private pilot’s license, which allowed him to fly non-commercial aircraft, and was in the process of securing a commercial license.

Prosecutors argued that Abdi intended to hijack a passenger plane and crash it into a skyscraper in Atlanta, mirroring the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. His internet search history provided crucial evidence, as he had researched methods to breach a cockpit and create explosive devices, further confirming his intentions.

Links to the 14 Riverside attack

During FBI interrogations, Abdi identified his handler as Ali Salim Gichunge, also known as Farouk. Gichunge was one of the five Al Shabaab militants responsible for the deadly attack on 14 Riverside Drive in Nairobi between January 15 and 16, 2019, which claimed the lives of 21 civilians and a Kenya Defence Forces officer. A swift response from a multi-agency security team, with support from local and international intelligence units, led to the elimination of all five terrorists.

Abdi and Gichunge shared a common background, both having been born and raised in Isiolo County, Kenya. They joined Al Shabaab in 2015, setting them on a path that ultimately led to their respective fates—one killed in action, the other facing a lifetime behind bars.

With Abdi’s sentencing now rescheduled for April 7, the court awaits his next move, as his sudden interest in legal representation hints at a possible appeal.