Pakistani officials have reported the arrest of Adam Gadahn, an American and top al-Qaeda spokesman, but the FBI has not yet confirmed the report.
Gadahn appeared in a number of al-Qaeda propaganda and threat videos since 2004.
The report of Gadahn’s arrest comes on the same day as the latest video release, in which Gadahn praises Nidal Hasan, the U.S army major of Muslim decent who allegedly killed 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, last November. In the video, Gadahn called for Muslims worldwide to follow Hasan’s example, according to the SITE (Search for International Terrorist Entities) Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activity.
Gadahn has been wanted on treason charges since 2006, and the FBI has a $1 million dollar reward for information leading to his capture.
Gadahn, 31, was born Adam Pearlman and is of Jewish–Christian heritage. He grew up on a goat farm in rural California, where he was home-schooled by his parents in nondenominational Christianity, according to a Washington Post report.
At age 17 he converted to Islam and began attending a mosque in Orange County, Calif., where he reportedly was expelled for attacking the chairman in an unexplained rage. After his expulsion, Gadahn moved to Pakistan where he reportedly joined al-Qaeda.
Gadahn appeared in a number of al-Qaeda propaganda and threat videos since 2004.
The report of Gadahn’s arrest comes on the same day as the latest video release, in which Gadahn praises Nidal Hasan, the U.S army major of Muslim decent who allegedly killed 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, last November. In the video, Gadahn called for Muslims worldwide to follow Hasan’s example, according to the SITE (Search for International Terrorist Entities) Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activity.
Gadahn has been wanted on treason charges since 2006, and the FBI has a $1 million dollar reward for information leading to his capture.
Gadahn, 31, was born Adam Pearlman and is of Jewish–Christian heritage. He grew up on a goat farm in rural California, where he was home-schooled by his parents in nondenominational Christianity, according to a Washington Post report.
At age 17 he converted to Islam and began attending a mosque in Orange County, Calif., where he reportedly was expelled for attacking the chairman in an unexplained rage. After his expulsion, Gadahn moved to Pakistan where he reportedly joined al-Qaeda.