Accused American Taliban fighter returns to U.S to face charges

WASHINGTON -- John Walker Lindh, the young Muslim convert accused of joining al-Qaida soldiers in Afghanistan, returned to the United States Wednesday under FBI custody to face criminal charges that he conspired to kill fellow Americans.

Lindh flew back aboard a military cargo plane amid extraordinary secrecy and security, two years after he left the United States for Yemen to study Arabic and Islam. He was captured in Afghanistan after a November uprising by Taliban prisoners in which a CIA officer was killed.

The cargo plane landed at Dulles International Airport, just outside Washington, said a law enforcement official, speaking on the grounds of anonymity. Reporters were not allowed near the area.

The FBI alleges in court papers that Lindh in June became a foot soldier for Osama bin Laden, who thanked him personally for "taking part in jihad," or holy war. The FBI also claims Lindh learned within weeks of joining bin Laden about suicide teams being sent to America. Those allegations are largely based on statements Lindh made to investigators during two days of interviews in December, when Lindh waived his rights to speak with a lawyer.

"Terrorists did not compel John Walker Lindh to join them," U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said. "John Walker Lindh chose terrorists. Our American system of justice will allow Walker the rights and due process that the terrorists he fought side by side with sought, and still seek, to destroy."

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Wednesday that President Bush believes that Lindh "will now get the justice he deserves." Fleischer called the criminal charges against Lindh "extraordinarily serious."

"He will now have his day in court and he will be judged impartially and fairly," Fleischer said.

In an interview aired Wednesday on NBC Nightly News, Bush said he decided "for a variety of reasons" against trying Lindh for treason, adding, "I also am pleased that he's going to be afforded a chance to make his case in a court of law."

First lady Laura Bush expressed sympathy for Lindh's parents. "I'm sure his parents are unbelievably crushed and, you know, worried and sick, everything that every parent feels when their children have a problem like he has," she said.

The interview, conducted as part of an NBC special on the Bush White House, was taped prior before Lindh's return from Afghanistan.

Lindh, 20, will make his first courtroom appearance at 9 a.m. today in federal court in Alexandria, Va., to answer to charges of conspiracy, providing material support to terrorists and engaging in prohibited transactions with the Taliban. If convicted, Lindh could spend the rest of his life in prison.

"We're prepared for every possible contingency," said John Hackman, deputy chief U.S. marshal for the federal district, who confirmed the schedule for today's hearing. U.S. Magistrate Judge Welton Curtis Sewell will preside.

Hackman would not reveal where Lindh would be held overnight.