Abdulmutallab in contact with jihadists since 2007, fostered worldwide network of contacts while in London
British police are focusing on Abdulmutallab’s time at University College London (UCL). In an examination of emails and texts, they have found him to be in contact with jihadists across the globe since 2007.
Abdulmutallab’s examined emails fantasized about jihad:
“I won’t go into too much details about me [sic] fantasy but basically they are jihad fantasies, I imagine how the great jihad will take place, how the Muslims will win,God willing, and rule the whole world and establish the greatest empire once again!”
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre may have flagged UCL in 2008 as one of about 12 colleges harboring an extremism problem.
Extremist information is being disseminated in London. DVDs of Anwar al-Awlaki, an al-Qaida-tied cleric in Yemen who may have inspired Abdulmutallab, can be purchased through bookstores and websites in the UK. Experts say his influence on locals is growing.
The US and the UK are working together on Yemeni and Somali terrorism issues.