Abdul Waheed

Abdul Waheed or Wahid, formerly Donald Douglas Stewart-Whyte (born June 1986) is one of the suspects arrested in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2006, in connection with the 2006 transatlantic aircraft terrorist plot. Walker, Frank. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/new-face-of-terrorism/2006/08/12/1154803147123.html "Top model's brother is new face of terrorism"] , "The Sydney Morning Herald", August 13, 2006, retrieved August 13, 2006.] [ Waheed was not among the 19 suspects whose bank accounts were frozen by the Bank of England. ( [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4782343.stm "'Air plot' suspects: Names released"] , BBC News, August 11, 2006, retrieved August 13, 2006)] __TOC__

Charges

Between 1 January and 10 August 2006, with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, preparing to smuggle parts of improvised explosive devices on to aircraft and assemble and detonate them on board.

On 9 August he had in his possession a Baikal 8mm pistol, contrary to section 5 (1) of the Firearms Act 1968.

On 9 August he had in his possession a magazine clip with 10 rounds of ammunition and a silencer without holding a firearms certificate, contrary to section 1 (1) of the Firearms Act 1968.

Background

Waheed was born in Eastbourne, East Sussex. He was raised as a Methodist in the so-called stockbroker belt of Buckinghamshire, attending Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham after being expelled from John Hampden Grammar School in High Wycombe. He left school without completing A-levels, and is reported to have worked at a hairdresser's, at electrical retailer Currys, and was hoping to study art at college. Rayner, Gordon. "The middle-class jet 'plotters", "Daily Mail", August 11, 2006, retrieved August 14, 2006.]

His father, Douglas Stewart-Whyte, who died in 2000, was an agent for the Conservative Party in Westminster, and his mother, Dorothy, taught physical education. His half-sister, Heather Stewart-Whyte, from his father's first marriage, is a successful model and former face of Gucci, who was married to Yannick Noah, the French tennis star. Leppard, David "et al". [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2310607,00.html "Focus: Terror in the skies"] , "The Sunday Times", August 13, 2006, retrieved August 13, 2006.] Heather told reporters that she has never met her half-brother. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=400146&in_page_id=1770 "Terror suspect related to million pound supermodel"] , "Daily Mail", August 11, 2006, retrieved August 13, 2006.]

Waheed married Fatima, a Muslim woman from Morocco, six weeks before the arrests. Duffy, Michael & Latchem, Tom. [http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17553547&method=full&siteid=62484&headline=convert--wanted-change-in-his-life---name_page.html "Exclusive: Convert 'wanted change in his life'"] , "Sunday Mirror", August 13, 2006, retrieved August 13, 2006.] Waheed and his wife lived with Waheed's mother in her home in High Wycombe. Police made the arrest when Waheed pulled up to the house in his Nissan Micra on August 10. His mother was on holiday at the time.

Conversion to Islam

Waheed is reported to have become interested in Islam because many of his friends were Muslims, but it was allegedly only after he converted that he came to know 27-year-old Shazad Khuram Ali and 29-year-old Waseem Kayani, who were also arrested. He is reported to have begun attending twice-monthly meetings with Ali and Kayani in Walthamstow, east London, where many of the arrests were concentrated. A former girlfriend, Faith Hall, told the "Daily Mirror" that Waheed had first become friends with some Muslim youths two years ago, after being assaulted by some Asian teenagers. He tracked one of them down to ask why they had attacked him, and they became friends. Brough, Graham & Nash, Emily. [http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17557512&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=-don-told-me-he-would-die-young--following-a-dark--lonely-path--but-i-m-sure-he-did-not-mean-killin-name_page.html "Exclusive: Don told me he would die young, following a dark, lonely path ... but I'm sure he did not mean killing people"] , "Daily Mirror", August 13, 2006, retrieved August 17, 2006.]

Timeline

10th AugustSuspect arrested by British authorities.

7th SeptemberAppearance at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court. Charged with preparing acts of terrorism. He is also charged with possession of a firearm, silencer and magazine clip.

18th SeptemberNext scheduled court appearance.

Further reading

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4782343.stm "'Air plot' suspects: Names released"] , BBC News, August 11, 2006, retrieved August 13, 2006.
*Fisher, Ian. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/12/world/europe/12suspects.html?ex=1313035200&en=861a0571fd02082a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss "Shock Reverberates Among Acquaintances of the Young Suspects"] , "The New York Times", August 12, 2006, retrieved August 14, 2006.

References