Terrorism charges filed against New York attack suspect

New York Nov 2 (IANS) US federal prosecutors have filed terrorism charges against the suspect of Tuesday s truck attack in New York which left eight people dead and 13 others injured.

Acting US Manhattan Attorney Joon Kim announced the charges at a news conference in New York on Wednesday Xinhua news agency reported.

The suspect - Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov 29 is now in custody and had been planning what is called the worst terror attack in New York since September 11 2001 "for a number of weeks " John Miller NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism said at a press conference.

"He did this in the name of IS (Islamic State) " Miller said citing some notes recovered at the scene.

On Tuesday afternoon Saipov a Uzbek immigrant drove a pickup truck down a busy bike path in Lower Manhattan killing eight and injuring 13. He was shot by police and then sent to a hospital.

According to reports he shouted "Allahu Akbar " which means "God is great" in Arabic.

--IANS
pgh/