Federal prosecutors in Colorado began reviewing the 2002 investigative case file of radical Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki on Tuesday.
Al-Awlaki is considered an important figure in the Fort Hood, Texas, shooting investigation because he exchanged numerous e-mails with suspected shooter Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, according to federal authorities.
An arrest warrant for al-Awlaki on passport fraud allegations was withdrawn in 2002 by federal prosecutors in Denver, which prevented al-Awlaki’s prosecution before he left the United States and began advocating for jihad against the West on the Internet.
Jeffrey Dorschner, spokesman for U.S. Attorney David Gaouette, said Tuesday he would not discuss the 2002 case because the “matter is still under review.”
Felisa Cardona, The Denver Post
