FBI says jihadi not on watch list, ‘reasonable suspicion’ needed
In the aftermath of the weekend bombings in New York City and New Jersey, the FBI said yesterday 28-year-old suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami was not on its watch list of suspected terrorists.
The Terrorism Screening Database is maintained by the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center.
It receives names of suspected international terrorists from the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment, which is maintained by the National Counterterrorism Center, in connection with the U.S. intelligence and security agencies that have information on terrorists. It also receives information on domestic terrorists from the FBI.
The Terrorism Screening Database only includes information used to identify terrorism suspects. The database itself does not include classified information. Classified information on foreign terrorists is maintained in the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment, while for domestic terrorists, it’s kept by the FBI.
From the Terrorism Screening Database, more specific lists are created for different purposes. For example, the no-gly and selectee lists are used to prevent individuals from traveling or to subject them to greater scrutiny.
To be placed on the Terrorism Screening Database, U.S. officials must have “reasonable suspicion” a suspect is taking part or aiding terrorist activities.
John Pike of Global-Securities. org said yesterday the feds’ secret criteria for being placed on a watch list evolves and can include other things, such as comments made on social media or traveling to certain countries with purported terrorism links.