Magistrate Judge imposes pre-trial detention on American Airlines mechanic determined to be flight risk

Earlier today the Associated Press reported the American Airlines mechanic charged with sabotaging an airplane in July 2019 was denied bail and is subject to pre-trial detention on the grounds he is a flight risk and a danger to the community at large.

Although County Examiner cannot independently confirm the AP reports at this time, they also report prosecutors presented evidence that Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani
has a brother in Iraq who may be involved with the Islamic State extremist group and other disconcerting details.

From the Associated Press:

The new evidence presented by prosecutors includes that Alani has a brother in Iraq who may be involved with the Islamic State extremist group as well as statements Alani made about wishing Allah would use “divine powers” to harm non-Muslims.  

Alani, 60, also recently sent a $700 wire transfer to someone in Iraq — where he has extended family — and had videos on his cellphone depicting Islamic State mass murders he shared with others, prosecutors said. In addition, the new evidence shows Alani traveled to Iraq in March but did not disclose that to authorities after his arrest.  

“You may be very sympathetic to terrorists,” Judge McAliley told Alani at the hearing. “That’s very disconcerting.

County Examiner also notes the most recent court filings reveal that at the advice of defense counsel, Alani dropped the use of an Arabic interpreter, although one remains on "standby". 

On September 9th we reported on the Federal Aviation Administration requirements for a US Citizen who seeks to obtain a mechanics certificate ----which include the ability to read, write, speak and understand English.

Controversy emerging over Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani's proficiency with English

A controversy is emerging about the English proficiency of the American Airlines mechanic charged in federal court Friday with willfully damaging or disabling a plane. 

Court documents reviewed by County Examiner and a report by the Associated Press reveal Chief Magistrate Judge John J. O'Sullivan allowed Alani to speak in court through an Arabic interpreter, however in the same AP news account, according to American Airlines, Alani is proficient in English and became a U.S. citizen in 1992.

Miami (AP) (emphasis mine)

"Alani, who was born in Iraq and became a U.S. citizen in 1992,  

In Miami on Friday, Alani wore shackles and tan jail clothes as he spoke to Magistrate Judge John O’Sullivan through an Arabic interpreter. Mostly, he answered basic questions about his assets and whether he could afford a lawyer. The judge appointed a public defender and scheduled a bond hearing for next Wednesday and an arraignment hearing on Sept. 20.

According to American, Alani is proficient in English."

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the requirements a US Citizen must meet to obtain a mechanics certificate include the ability to read, write, speak and understand English:

Here's a copy of the minute order on file with the Southern District of Florida reflecting the 
use of an Arabic interpreter at Friday's hearing:

Let me be clear. This blog post should in no way be interpreted as an assertion of wrong doing on anyone's part. The issue of Alani's English language proficiency is a serious and significant question involving airport, aircraft security which must be asked and answered. 

Criminal complaint against Miami man arrested for sabotage of American Airlines plane

Today, Friday September 6th County Examiner awakened to news of the arrest of an American Airlines employee at Miami International Airport for the willful damaging, destroying, disabling or wrecking of an aircraft. 

Unlike the media who simply refuse to publish or link to court documents, County Examiner uploaded a copy of the criminal complaint here so you can read it yourself.

My hubby was on duty as an air traffic controller on 9/11 and with thousands of ATC's and FAA employees across the United States and Canada facilitated the landing of all domestic and inbound international aircraft without incident on that fateful day.

We take ANY news of aircraft, airport sabotage seriously.

https://www.scribd.com/document/424745964/American-Airlines-Sabotage-Criminal-Complaint

Analysis to follow.

Update:

1. As you read the complaint, one of the first things you'll notice is the use of airport surveillance video to identify American Airlines mechanic Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani

2. Alani claimed he tampered with the aircraft hoping to cause a delay or flight cancellation so he could get overtime work and pay, as he was upset about a financial impact on him due to stalled union negotiations.