David Headley Confession On Mumbai Massacre
David Headley Confession On Mumbai Massacre
David Headley Confession On Mumbai Massacre
The United States of America, by and through its attorney, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United
States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, respectfully submits the following proffer of
evidence as to the admission at trial of certain coconspirator statements pursuant to Federal Rule of
I. INTRODUCTION
The superseding indictment in this case charges the defendant with conspiring to provide
material support to individuals who planned and carried out terrorist attacks in India and who were
planning to carry out a terrorist attack in Denmark. Among other allegations, the superseding
indictment alleges that the defendant assisted co-defendant David Headley (“Headley”) in using the
defendant’s immigration business as a cover story for Headley’s extended stays in Mumbai, India,
during which Headley carried out instructions to conduct surveillance in advance of the Mumbai
attacks in November 2008, attacks which resulted in approximately 164 deaths. When Headley was
instructed once again to conduct surveillance, this time of a newspaper facility in Denmark, the
defendant once again assisted Headley, by among other means, using the defendant’s business as
a cover story that would explain Headley’s travel to Denmark and allow Headley to gain entry into
the newspaper facility. In total, the defendant is charged in three counts of the superseding
indictment: Count Nine (Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorism in India); Count
Eleven (Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorism in Denmark); and Count Twelve
More specifically, Count Nine alleges that the defendant conspired with Headley and others
to provide material support to the conspiracies charged in Counts One and Two of the superseding
indictment. Counts One and Two allege that various members of Lashkar e Tayyiba planned and
carried out terrorist attacks in India, including the Mumbai attacks in November 2008. In Count
Nine, the government has alleged that beginning no later than late 2005 and continuing through
October 3, 2009, the defendant conspired with Headley and others to provide personnel, tangible
property, money, and false documentation and identification, and to conceal and disguise the nature
of such support, to those who planned and carried out the Mumbai attacks. To prove the existence
of the conspiracy charged in Count Nine, the government intends to offer, among other evidence,
the statements of its members, including the defendant, Headley, Zaki Lakhvi (“Zaki”), Muzzammill
Butt (“Muzzammill”), Sajid Mir (“Sajid”), Abu Qahafa (“Qahafa”), Abu Al Qama (“Al Qama”),
Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed (“Pasha”) and Major Iqbal.1 Most of the statements that the
government intends to offer are admissible without reliance on the co-conspirator exception. For
example, the instructions and suggestions offered by Zaki, Muzzammill, Sajid, Qahafa, Al Qama,
Pasha and Major Iqbal are not statements within the meaning of Rule 801(a). In addition, the
defendant’s own statements are not hearsay. That said, the evidence demonstrates that the
1
As discussed more fully in Section II of this filing, the admission of a declarant’s
statements in furtherance of a conspiracy does not require a formal charge of conspiracy against
that declarant. Thus, the government may offer the statements of Zaki, Sajid and the others
identified above in the absence of a formal conspiracy charge against them.
2
conspiracy charged in Count Nine existed, the declarants of the statements summarized below were
members thereof, and their statements were made during the course of and in furtherance of the
charged conspiracy. For this reason, the government submits that their statements also are
Count Eleven alleges that the defendant conspired with David Headley, Ilyas Kashmiri,
Pasha, and others to provide material support to the conspiracy charged in Count Ten of the
superseding indictment. Count Ten alleges that various individuals planned to murder and maim
individuals at a Jyllands-Posten facility in Denmark. In Count Eleven, the government has alleged
that beginning no later than October 2008 and continuing through October 3, 2009, the defendant
conspired with Headley and others to provide personnel, tangible property and false documentation
and identification, and to conceal and disguise the nature of such support, to those that were
planning the attack in Denmark. As with the conspiracy to provide material support to attacks in
India, the conspiracy to provide material support to the planned Denmark attack had members
beyond the defendant and Headley, including those who played active roles in planning the attacks.
To prove the existence of the conspiracy charged in Count Eleven, the government intends to offer
the statements of its members, among others, the defendant, Headley, Sajid, Saulat Rana, Pasha and
Ilyas Kashmiri. Similar to Count Nine, many of the statements that the government intends to offer
to prove Count Eleven are admissible without reliance on the co-conspirator exception. Once again,
however, the evidence demonstrates that the conspiracy charged in Count Eleven existed, the
declarants of the statements summarized below were members thereof, and their statements were
made during the course of and in furtherance of the charged conspiracy. For this reason, the
government submits that their statements also are admissible under Rule 801(d)(2)(E).
3
In this Santiago Proffer, the government describes the law governing coconspirator
statements, outlines its evidence establishing the charged conspiracies and sets forth the general
categories of coconspirator statements for which a pre-trial ruling by the Court is requested. The
government does not include all of its evidence that would go to show the existence of the
conspiracies charged in Counts Nine and Eleven or all of the coconspirator statements that were
made in furtherance of those conspiracies but is highlighting for the Court samples of its evidence
in order to establish the existence of the charged conspiracies and the roles of the various
coconspirators therein. Thus, this proffer does not list all of the government’s witnesses and the
Rule 801(d)(2)(E) of the Federal Rules of Evidence provides that a “statement” is not
hearsay if it “is offered against a party” and is “a statement by a co-conspirator of a party during the
course and in furtherance of the conspiracy.” The admission of a co-conspirator statement against
a defendant is proper where the government establishes by a preponderance of evidence that: (1)
a conspiracy or scheme existed; (2) the defendant and the declarant were members of that particular
conspiracy or scheme; and (3) the statement was made during the course and in furtherance of the
conspiracy or scheme. See, e.g., Bourjaily v. United States, 483 U.S. 171, 175 (1987); United States
In this Circuit, the preferred way for the government to makes its preliminary factual
showing as to the admissibility of such statements is by filing a pretrial written proffer of the
4
government's evidence. See, e.g., United States v. Hoover, 246 F.3d 1054, 1060 (7th Cir. 2001);
United States v. Irorere, 228 F.3d 816, 824 (7th Cir. 2000).2 In making its preliminary factual deter-
minations, the Court must consider the statements themselves as evidence of a conspiracy and
whether the statements the government seeks to admit were made in furtherance of that conspiracy.
See United States v. Brookins, 52 F.3d 615, 623 (7th Cir. 1995); United States v. Maholias, 985 F.2d
869, 877 (7th Cir. 1993). Indeed, the Court may consider all non-privileged evidence. See United
Statements may be admitted under Rule 801(d)(2)(E) notwithstanding the lack of a formal
conspiracy charge against any or all declarants. See, e.g., United States v. Godinez, 110 F.3d 448,
454 (7th Cir. 1997); Santiago, 582 F.2d at 1130.3 In addition, there is no requirement that each
member of the venture share a criminal intent for the co-conspirator rule to apply to statements that
members made in furtherance of the conspiracy. These two rules are based on the very nature of the
coconspirator doctrine:
The distinction should be noted between “conspiracy” as a crime and the co-
conspirator exception to the hearsay rule. Conspiracy as a crime comprehends more
than mere joint enterprise. It also includes other elements, such as a meeting of the
minds, criminal intent and, where required by statute, an overt act. . . . The co-
conspirator exception to the hearsay rule, on the other hand, is merely a rule of
evidence founded, to some extent, on concepts of agency law. It may be applied in
2
Accord, e.g.,United States v. Haynie, 179 F.3d 1048, 1050 (7th Cir.1999); United States
v. Rodriguez, 975 F.2d 404, 406 (7th Cir. 1992).
3
See also, e.g., United States v. Cox, 923 F.2d 519, 526 (7th Cir. 1991) (conspiracy
charge not a condition for admitting statements under Rule 801(d)(2)(E)); accord, United States
v. Reynolds, 919 F.2d 435, 439 (7th Cir. 1990); United States v. Kelley, 864 F.2d 569, 573 (7th
Cir. 1989); United States v. LeFevour, 798 F.2d 977, 983 (7th Cir. 1986).
5
both civil and criminal cases. . . . Its rationale is the common sense appreciation that
a person who has authorized another to speak or to act to some joint end will be held
responsible for what is later said or done by his agent, whether in his presence or not.
* * *
The substantive criminal law of conspiracy, though it obviously overlaps in many
areas, simply has no application to this evidentiary principle. Thus, once the exis-
tence of a joint venture for an illegal purpose, or for a legal purpose using illegal
means, and a statement made in the course of and in furtherance of that venture have
been demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence, it makes no difference
whether the declarant or any other “partner in crime” could actually be tried,
convicted and punished for the crime of conspiracy.
United States v. Gil, 604 F.2d 546, 549-550 (7th Cir. 1979) (citations omitted and emphasis added).
This distinction was explored in United States v. Coe, 718 F.2d 830 (7th Cir. 1983). In Coe,
the court explained that a so-called co-conspirator statement's admissibility does not depend on the
4
See also Hitchman Coal & Coke Co. v. Mitchell, 245 U.S. 229, 249 (1917)
(explaining origin of the co-conspirator rule in the law of partnership: “the act or declaration of
one, in furtherance of the common object, is the act of all, and is admissible as primary and
original evidence against them.”).
6
C. The Supreme Court’s Crawford Decision Has Not Changed the Admissibility of
Co-Conspiracy Statements
The Supreme Court’s decision in Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36 (2004), changed
much of the law concerning out-of-court testimonial statements, but it did not affect the admissibility
made before trial by the defendant’s wife to law enforcement. Id. at 38. At trial, however, the wife
was unavailable as a witness due to the state’s spousal privilege law, and thus the defendant did not
have an opportunity to cross-examine her. Id. at 40. The Court ruled that admission of the statement
violated the Confrontation Clause, holding that where the government offers an unavailable
declarant’s hearsay that is “testimonial” in nature, the Confrontation Clause requires actual
confrontation, that is, cross-examination, regardless of how reliable the statement may be. Id. at 51-
52. As examples of “testimonial” statements, the Court listed prior testimony at a preliminary
hearing, before a grand jury, or at a former trial, and to police interrogations. Id. at 68.
The rule in Crawford does not apply, however, to statements that are not hearsay.5 Thus, the
Seventh Circuit has squarely held that Crawford does not apply to – and did not change the law rela-
ting to – co-conspirator statements. In United States v. Jenkins, 419 F.3d 614 (7th Cir.), cert.
As to the Confrontation Clause argument, Crawford does not apply. The recordings
5
The rule in Crawford also does not apply where: (1) a statement, though
testimonial in nature, is not offered for the truth of the matter asserted, 541 U.S. at 59 n.9; (2) the
declarant testifies at trial and is subject to cross-examination regarding the prior statement, id. at
59 n.9; (3) the statement is non-testimonial, id. at 60; or (4) the declarant is unavailable to testify
and the defendant had a prior opportunity for cross-examination, id. at 59. Another exception to
the confrontation requirement applies where the defendant procured the declarant’s
unavailability, that is, “forfeiture by wrong-doing,” see id. at 62; Fed. R. Evid. 804(b)(6).
7
featured the statements of co-conspirators. These statements, by definition, are not
hearsay. Crawford did not change the rules as to the admissibility of co-conspirator
statements.
419 F.3d at 618; accord, United States v. Tolliver, 454 F.3d 1160, 1165 (7th Cir. 2006). Because
co-conspirator statements are not “testimonial” hearsay statements, Crawford is not implicated, and
801(d)(2)(E) is distinct from the standard required in determining on appeal whether sufficient
evidence exists to uphold a jury verdict. The standard to be applied in the context of admissibility
A district court may consider the proffered statements themselves in determining the
existence of a conspiracy, and a defendant’s participation in it. Bourjaily, 483 U.S. at 180; United
A district court can also consider both direct and circumstantial evidence to determine the
existence of a conspiracy. See United States v. Townsend, 924 F.2d 1385, 1390 (7th Cir. 1991);
United States v. Patterson, 213 F. Supp. 2d 900, 910-11 (N.D. Ill. 2002), aff’d, 348 F.3d 218, 225-26
8
(7th Cir. 2003).6 Indeed, “[b]ecause of the secretive character of conspiracies, direct evidence is
elusive, and hence the existence and the defendants’ participation can usually be established only
by circumstantial evidence.” United States v. Redwine, 715 F.2d 315, 319 (7th Cir. 1983); see also
Lindemann, 85 F.3d at 1238 (secretive nature of conspiracies one reason for conspirator exception
to hearsay rule).
A defendant joins a criminal conspiracy if he agrees with another person to one or more of
the common objectives of the conspiracy; it is immaterial whether the defendant knows, has met or
has agreed with every co-conspirator. See United States v. Boucher, 796 F.2d 972, 975 (7th Cir.
1986); United States v. Balistrieri, 779 F.2d 1191, 1225 (7th Cir. 1985); see also Rodriguez, 975
F.2d at 411 (defendant must have intended to join and associate himself with the conspiracy’s
criminal design and purpose). The government need not prove, however, that a defendant knew each
and every detail of the conspiracy or played more than a minor role in the conspiracy. United States
v. Sims, 808 F. Supp. 620, 623 (N.D. Ill. 1992). As the Supreme Court has said:
A conspiracy may exist even if a conspirator does not agree to commit or facilitate
each and every part of the substantive offense. . . . The partners in the criminal plan
must agree to pursue the same criminal objective and may divide up the work, yet
each is responsible for the acts of each other. . . . If conspirators have a plan which
calls for some conspirators to perpetrate the crime and others to provide support, the
supporters are as guilty as the perpetrators.
6
Even though the government need not prove the crime of conspiracy for the co-
conspirator doctrine to apply, criminal conspiracy cases are helpful in stating the types of
evidence that are sufficient to show conspiracy. If the government meets the higher standard for
criminal conspiracy, a fortiorari, the evidentiary standard is met.
9
Salinas v. United States, 522 U.S. 52, 63-4 (1997) (citations omitted).7 A defendant may be found
to have participated in a conspiracy even if he joined or terminated his relationship with others at
a different time than another defendant or co-conspirator. See United States v. Ramirez, 796 F.2d
212, 215 (7th Cir. 1986); United States v. Noble, 754 F.2d 1324, 1329 (7th Cir.1985).8 A district
court may consider the conduct, knowledge, and statements of the defendant and others in
establishing participation in a conspiracy. A single act or conversation, for example, can suffice to
connect the defendant to the conspiracy if that act leads to the reasonable inference of intent to
participate in an unlawful enterprise. See, e.g., Sims, 808 F. Supp. at 623.9 Statements made during
the course of and in furtherance of a conspiracy, even in its embryonic stages, are admissible against
those who arrive late to join a going concern. United States v. Potts, 840 F.2d 368, 372 (7th Cir.
1987). A co-conspirator who has become inactive nevertheless is liable for his co-conspirators’
further statements unless he openly disavows the conspiracy or reports it to the police. United States
v. Feldman, 825 F.2d 124, 129 (7th Cir. 1987). See also United States v. Andrus, 775 F.2d 825, 850
7
See also United States v. Liefer, 778 F.2d 1236, 1247 n.9 (7th Cir. 1985); United
States v. Towers, 775 F.2d 184, 189 (7th Cir. 1985); United States v. Morrow, 971 F. Supp.
1254, 1256-57 (N.D. Ill. 1997).
8
A defendant, even if not an “agreeing” member of a conspiracy, may nonetheless
be found guilty of conspiracy if he knew of the conspiracy’s existence at the time of his acts, and
his acts knowingly aided and abetted the business of the conspiracy, see United States v.
Scroggins, 939 F.2d 416, 421 (7th Cir. 1991); Sims, 808 F. Supp. at 623 n.1, even if the
defendant was not charged with aiding and abetting, see United States v. Kasvin, 757 F.2d 887,
890-91 (7th Cir.1985).
9
Similarly, efforts by an alleged co-conspirator to conceal a conspiracy may
support an inference that he joined the conspiracy while it was still in operation. See Redwine;
715 F.2d at 321; United States v. Robertson, 659 F.2d 652, 657 (5th Cir. 1981).
10
F. Statements Made in Furtherance of the Conspiracy
In determining whether a statement was made “in furtherance” of the conspiracy, courts look
for a reasonable basis upon which to conclude that the statement furthered the conspiracy’s goals.
United States v. Johnson, 200 F.3d 529, 533 (7th Cir. 2000). Under the reasonable-basis standard,
a statement may be susceptible to alternative interpretations and still be “in furtherance” of the
conspiracy; the statement need not have been exclusively, or even primarily, made to further the
conspiracy in order to be admissible under the co-conspirator exception. See, e.g., Johnson, 200
F.3d at 533 (citing United States v. Stephenson, 53 F.3d 836, 845 (7th Cir. 1995)).
The Seventh Circuit has found a wide range of statements to satisfy the “in furtherance”
requirement. See, e.g., United States v. Cozzo, No. 02 CR 400, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7391 (N.D.
Ill. April 16, 2004) (collecting cases). In general, a statement that is “part of the information flow
between conspirators intended to help each perform his role” is admissible under Rule 801(d)(2)(E).
United States v. Santos, 20 F.3d 280, 286 (7th Cir. 1994) (quoting United States v. Johnson, 927
F.2d 999, 1001 (7th Cir. 1991)); accord, United States v. Gajo, 290 F.3d 922, 929 (7th Cir. 2002).
These include statements made: (1) to identify other members of the conspiracy and their roles,
United States v. Roldan-Zapata, 916 F.2d 795, 803 (2d Cir. 1990); United States v. Magee, 821 F.2d
234, 244 (5th Cir. 1987); (2) to recruit potential co-conspirators, United States v. Curry, 187 F.3d
762, 766 (7th Cir. 1999); (3) to control damage to an ongoing conspiracy, United States v. Van Daal
Wyk, 840 F.2d 494, 499 (7th Cir. 1988); Kapp, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3989, at *3; (4) to keep co-
conspirators advised as to the progress of the conspiracy, Potts, 840 F.2d at 371; Kapp, 2003 U.S.
Dist. LEXIS 3989, at *3; (5) to conceal the criminal objectives of the conspiracy, United States v.
Kaden, 819 F.2d 813, 820 (7th Cir. 1987); (6) to plan or to review a co-conspirator’s exploits,
11
United States v. Molt, 772 F.2d 366, 368-69 (7th Cir. 1985); or (7) as an assurance that a co-
conspirator can be trusted to perform his role. United States v. Pallais, 921 F.2d 684, 688 (7th Cir.
1990); Van Daal Wyck, 840 F.2d at 499. The Seventh Circuit has also said that “[s]tatements made
to keep co-conspirators informed about the progress of the conspiracy, to recruit others, or to control
damage to the conspiracy are made in furtherance of the conspiracy.” Stephenson, 53 F.3d at 845
(accord, United States v. Curtis, 37 F.3d 301, 307 (7th Cir. 1994).
accomplish its goals are “classic examples of statements made to conduct and further” a conspiracy.
Cox, 923 F.2d at 527. Statements such as these, which are “intended to promote the conspiratorial
objectives,” should be admitted pursuant to Rule 801(D)(2)(E).10 Statements that prompt the listener
to act in a manner that facilitates the carrying out of the conspiracy are also made “in furtherance”
of the conspiracy.11 Whether a particular statement tends to advance the objectives of the conspiracy
made. See Garlington v. O’Leary, 879 F.2d 277, 284 (7th Cir. 1989).
Statements “describing the purpose, method, or criminality of the conspiracy,” are made in
furtherance of the conspiracy because co-conspirators make such statements to guide each other
10
United States v. Sinclair, 109 F.3d 1527, 1534 (10th Cir. 1997); accord, United
States v. Shores, 33 F.3d 438, 444 (4th Cir. 1994).
11
United States v. Monus, 128 F.3d 376, 392 (6th Cir. 1997); United States v.
Simmons, 923 F.2d 934, 945 (2d Cir. 1991); United States v. Smith, 833 F.2d 213, 219 (10th Cir.
1987).
12
toward achievement of the objectives of the conspiracy. United States v. Ashman, 979 F.2d 469, 489
(7th Cir. 1992). Similarly, statements that are part of the information flow between co-conspirators
made in order to help each co-conspirator perform his role are “in furtherance” of the conspiracy.
See, e.g., Godinez, 110 F.3d at 454; Garlington, 879 F.2d at 283-84; Van Daal Wyk, 840 F.2d at
499. Statements to assure that a co-conspirator can be trusted to perform his role also satisfy the “in
furtherance” requirement. See, e.g., United States v. Romo, 914 F.2d 889, 897 (7th Cir. 1990); de
Statements made to recruit potential members of the conspiracy are made “in furtherance”
of the conspiracy. Curry, 187 F.3d at 766; Godinez, 110 F.3d at 454.12
Statements made by coconspirators to other individuals who participate in, or interact with,
the conspiracy contribute to the conspiracy. See Van Daal Wyk, 840 F.2d at 499 (wholesaler
instructed his courier not to deliver any additional quantities of cocaine to the defendant, a dealer).
Pallais, 921 F.2d at 688. The same logic dictates that discussions concerning a conspiracy’s
12
See also, e.g., United States v. Doerr, 886 F.2d 944, 951 (7th Cir. 1989);
Garlington, 879 F.2d at 283.
13
successes are admissible as statements in furtherance of the conspiracy. See id.; Van Daal Wyk, 840
F.2d at 499. Statements intended to reassure the listener regarding the progress or stability of the
conspiracy also further the conspiracy. United States v. Sophie, 900 F.2d 1064, 1073 (7th Cir. 1990)
(description of past drug deals). Likewise, statements made to reassure and calm the listener may
further the conspiracy, see Garlington, 879 F.2d at 284 ; United States v. Molinaro, 877 F.2d 1341,
1343-44 (7th Cir. 1989) (upholding admission of statements designed to iron out disputed details
of the conspiracy and to control the damage apparently done to the conspiracy).
Importantly, when a coconspirator tells another coconspirator about information learned from
a third coconspirator which is “part of the flow of information” furthering the conspiracy, that
statement is admissible under the coconspirator exception. United States v. Wesson, 33 F.3d 788,
796 (7th Cir. 1994). In Wesson, the defendants, including Wesson and his mother (a Chicago police
officer), were charged with crimes related to a heroin distribution ring. In particular, Wesson’s
mother was alleged to have conspired with her son to distribute heroin by, inter alia, providing him
with information concerning police activity near the drug distribution locations. Id. at 790. At trial,
a coconspirator and member of the heroin ring – Jeffrey Smith – testified that Wesson told him when
to change drug selling locations due to police activity. Id. at 791. Smith was asked how Wesson
got that information, to which he responded that Wesson said he got the information from his
mother. Id. Wesson’s mother argued that Smith’s testimony was impermissible double hearsay.
Id. at 795. The Seventh Circuit disagreed, concluding that only Wesson’s assertion to Smith that his
mother told him about police activity was hearsay (albeit, admissible under Rule 801(d)(2)(E), as
described below). Id. at 796. The original statement by Wesson’s mother to Wesson about the
police activity was not hearsay since that particular statement was not being admitted for the truth
14
of the matter asserted. Id. Because Smith and Wesson’s mother were members of the conspiracy,
and the statement by Wesson to Smith about the information he received from his mother was part
of the flow of information between coconspirators which furthered the conspiracy, Smith’s hearsay
are in furtherance of the conspiracy when made to assist in managing and updating other members
of the conspiracy. Potts, 840 F.2d at 371; Molt, 772 F.2d at 368-69. Similarly, statements regarding
a coconspirator’s failure to fully accomplish the objective of the conspiracy are admissible “as
updates on the status of the conspiracy” and how that status affected the future of the conspiracy.
United States v. Doyle, 771 F.2d 250, 256 (7th Cir. 1985).
Finally, statements made to conceal the criminal objectives of the conspiracy are made “in
furtherance” of the conspiracy where, as here, ongoing concealment is one of its purposes. See, e.g.,
United States v. Maloney, 71 F.3d 645, 660 (7th Cir. 1995); Kaden, 819 F.2d at 820; United States
v. Bouzanis, No. 00 CR 1065, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16218, at *21 n.5 (N.D. Ill. Sept. 15, 2003).
“Avoiding detection by law enforcement officials clearly furthers the aims of a conspiracy.” United
States v. Troop, 890 F.2d 1393, 1404 (7th Cir. 1989). Statements made to control damage to an
ongoing conspiracy have also been found to have been made in furtherance of the conspiracy. See
15
The government believes that the statements of co-conspirators set forth in this proffer
should be admitted as non-hearsay under the co-conspirator doctrine. There are alternative bases,
however, for admission of many of the statements. These bases do not require a Rule 801(d)(2)(E)
analysis.
A defendant’s own admissions are admissible against him pursuant to Rule 801(d)(2)(A),
without reliance on the co-conspirator statement rule.13 Maholias, 985 F.2d at 877. A defendant’s
own admissions, moreover, are relevant to establishing the factual predicates for the admission of
co-conspirator statements against him. See, e.g., Godinez, 110 F.3d at 455; Potts, 840 F.2d at 371-
72.14
for the defendant is equivalent to an admission by the defendant. Further, pursuant to Rule
defendant if the statement is made within the scope of the agency and during the course of the
relationship.
13
Rule 801(d)(2)(A) provides in pertinent part that a “statement” is not hearsay if
“[t]he statement is offered against a party and is . . . the party’s own statement, in either an
individual or a representative capacity.”
14
Other sections of Rule 801(d)(2) provide alternative bases of admissibility that
may apply. Rule 801(d)(2)(B), for example, provides for the admissibility of “adopted”
statements.
16
3. Non-hearsay Statements
The co-conspirator statement analysis also is not triggered when the relevant verbal declara-
tion is not a “statement” within the meaning of Rule 801(a) and when it is not hearsay. This rule
not hearsay and does not invoke a Rule 801(d)(2)(E) analysis. See, e.g., United States v. Tuchow,
768 F.2d 855, 868 n.18 (7th Cir. 1985); United States v. Mendez-Perez, 9 F.3d 1554 (9th Cir. 1993)
(unpublished opinion) (an instruction is not hearsay). Similarly, a question or inquiry is not a
statement and therefore does not invoke Rule 801(d)(2)(E). See, e.g., United States v. Wright, 343
F.3d 849, 865-66 (6th Cir. 2003) (question is not hearsay because it “merely seeks answers and
usually has no factual content.”); United States v. Lewis, 902 F.2d 1176, 1179 (5 th Cir. 1990)
(questions and inquiries are not hearsay because “they do not, and were not intended to, assert
anything”). In addition, when words are being introduced as a verbal act, or as background for an
alleged statement, they are not admitted for the truth of the matter asserted. For that reason, they
are not hearsay, and may be admitted. See, e.g., United States v. Robinzine, 80 F.3d246, 252 (7th
Cir. 1996). Accordingly, statements by alleged co-conspirators may be admitted into evidence
without establishing the Bourjaily factual predicates, but with corresponding limiting instructions,
when such statements are offered simply to show, for example, the existence, illegality, or nature
15
See, e.g., United States v. Herrera-Medina, 853 F.2d 564, 565-66 (7th Cir. 1988);
Van Daal Wyk, 840 F.2d at 497-98; Tuchow, 768 F.2d at 867-69. In some cases, statements by
an alleged co-conspirator will include a combination of declarations offered for the truth of the
17
III. THE GOVERNMENT’S PROFFER REGARDING THE EXISTENCE OF THE
CONSPIRACY CHARGED IN COUNT NINE
As noted above, Count Nine alleges that the defendant conspired with Headley and others
to provide material support to the conspiracies charged in Counts One and Two of the superseding
indictment. Counts One and Two allege that members of Lashkar e Tayyiba planned and carried
out terrorist attacks in India, namely, the Mumbai attacks in November 2008. Among other
evidence of the conspiracy charged in Count Nine, the government intends to offer the testimony
of Headley, documents and records relating to Headley’s travels to India and the establishment of
the Mumbai office, certain email communications between coconspirators made before, during and
after the Mumbai attacks (but all during the course of the charged conspiracy), and recorded
conversations.
The evidence, as summarized below, will establish the existence of the conspiracy charged
in Count Nine. It further will establish that its members made statements during the course of and
in furtherance of the conspiracy. The government intends to offer the statements of the defendant,
Headley, Zaki, Muzzammill, Sajid, Qahafa, Al Qama, Pasha and Major Iqbal. While many, if not
most, of these statements are admissible as non-hearsay because they are not assertions of fact (e.g.,
they are instructions, suggestions and questions), are not offered for the truth of the matter asserted,
or are the defendant’s own statements, the government submits that such statements may also be
admissible under Rule 801(d)(2)(E). To the extent that the statements outlined below are offered
pursuant to Rule 801(d)(2)(E), they constitute classic examples of the information flow among
conspirators.
18
A. Headley’s Training with Lashkar & Introduction to Lashkar Members
Starting in or around February 2002, co-defendant David Headley began attending training
camps in Pakistan for the designated foreign terrorist organization, Lashkar. By December 2003,
Headley had attended five separate courses, and had been trained in, among other topics, Lashkar’s
philosophy, the use of weapons and grenades, combat tactics, survival skills and counter-
surveillance methods. After completing several camps, Headley became acquainted with a senior
member of Lashkar, Zakir Lakhvi (“Zaki”), who was responsible for Lashkar’s military operations.
Headley was anxious to be assigned to an operational assignment in Kashmiri, but Zaki told
In or around July 2004, Headley attended a leadership course with Lashkar senior and junior
leadership. At that course, Zaki made a presentation regarding the killing of an Indian citizen who
accepted money from Lashkar, but was then believed to have provided information about Lashkar
to the Indian military. Zaki showed a computer animation depicting how the killing was carried out.
Also during that course, Headley attended meetings with Hafiz Saeed (the head of Lashkar), Zaki,
and others. During the meeting, Headley recommended filing a lawsuit challenging Lashkar’s
designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Zaki explained to Headley that a lawsuit was a bad
Following completion of the camps and leadership course, Lashkar assigned a series of
“handlers” to Headley. Initially, Headley was assigned to the handler Yakub. Headley complained
to Zaki and others that Yakub did not give him any assignments. Thereafter, Headley was assigned
to Muzzammill Butt, another senior leader within Lashkar. Working for Muzzammill Butt was an
19
individual named Sajid Mir (“Sajid”). Eventually, Sajid, identified in the superseding indictment
as Lashkar Member A, became Headley’s “handler.” Sajid was a resident of Pakistan, and a leader
within Lashkar. Sajid was one of the main architects for the planning and preparation that led to the
terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 and Sajid first assigned Headley to perform
surveillance in Denmark in order to plan an attack there, as discussed more fully below.
Headley met another Lashkar member – co-defendant Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed, to
whom Headley and the defendant referred as “Pasha” – while attending a mosque frequented by
Lashkar members. Pasha was a retired Pakistani military officer who, at one point, was active in
Lashkar, including participating as a trainer at one of its training camps. Through their discussions
over the years, however, Headley learned that Pasha had a number of disagreements with Lashkar
members over its philosophy and commitment to jihad. This led Pasha to begin working with co-
Harakat ul Jihad al Islami (HUJI). At least as early as 2007, Kashmiri based his operations in the
Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Western Pakistan (FATA), an area which served as a haven
for terrorist organizations, including al Qaeda, and has publicly announced his affiliation with this
terrorist organization.
In or about 2006, Headley traveled to the FATA area with Pasha. During the trip, Headley
and Pasha were stopped and questioned by Pakistani authorities. Headley was questioned by an
individual who identified himself as Major Ali. Headley told Major Ali about his training with
Lashkar. Major Ali then asked Headley for his contact information. Several days later, Headley was
20
contacted by an individual who identified himself as Major Iqbal. Over the next several years, as
described in more detail below, Headley met with Major Iqbal and his associates many times.
During these meetings, Headley was trained in various topics, including spotting and assessing
people, recognizing Indian military insignia and movements, dead drops and pick up points, and
clandestine photography.
In late 2005, Headley met with Sajid, Muzzammill, and another senior Lashkar member, Abu
Qahafa (identified in the indictment as Lashkar Member B), who instructed Headley to travel to
India. While in India, they instructed Headley to act as though he were American, and to conceal
his Muslim faith and his ties to Pakistan. Around this time, Headley met with Zaki and discussed
changing his given name, Daood Gilani, in order to carry out the instructions. Zaki asked Headley
where he was born. When Headley informed Zaki that he was born in the United States, Zaki
expressed happiness with this fact because having not only a United States passport, but a United
States passport indicating a birth place in the United States, would not arouse suspicion when
Headley traveled.
In or around February 2006, Headley traveled from Pakistan to Philadelphia, and changed
his name to “David Coleman Headley.” Headley proceeded to obtain a United States passport
issued in this name, and identifying his place of birth as the United States. Headley, in fact, was
born in Washington, D.C., but moved at a very early age to Pakistan, where he was raised and where
he attended school. In particular, Headley attended the Hasan Abdal school in Pakistan, where he
21
2. Defendant’s Agreement to Establish a Cover Business in Mumbai
In or about early summer 2006, Headley again met with Lashkar leaders Sajid, Muzzammill,
and Abu Qahafa. At this meeting, the Lashkar leaders informed Headley that his specific
assignment was to travel to Mumbai, India. Having heard Headley over the years talk about his
friendship with the defendant, Tahawwur Rana, and the fact that the defendant ran an immigration
business, Sajid and Muzzammill asked Headley if he would open an immigration office in Mumbai
After receiving his specific assignment from Lashkar to travel and stay in Mumbai, Headley
met with Major Iqbal. Major Iqbal was already aware of Headley’s assignment, despite the fact that
Headley had not yet told Major Iqbal about it. Headley and Major Iqbal discussed the idea of
opening an immigration office in Mumbai. Major Iqbal told Headley that he believed this to be a
perfect cover story for why Headley was there considering the amount of respect that such a
business would be afforded. Major Iqbal offered to provide money to pay for the expenses of such
an office.
In or around June 2006, Headley traveled to Chicago and stayed with the defendant. By this
time, Headley already had shared with the defendant some specifics about his Lashkar training.
Headley already also had told the defendant about changing his name for the purpose of concealing
his Muslim faith and ties to Pakistan. When Headley stayed with the defendant in or about June
2006, Headley told the defendant about his conversations with Sajid and other Lashkar leaders, as
well as with Major Iqbal, and about his assignment to conduct surveillance in Mumbai. Headley
asked the defendant for his permission to open a Mumbai office for the defendant ’s business, First
World Immigration. Headley explained to the defendant that the Mumbai office would be a cover
22
story for his true activities and related that Major Iqbal had offered to pay for the expenses of
In addition to allowing the use of his business, the defendant assisted Headley in opening the
office in Mumbai in several ways. Among other steps, the defendant directed an individual
associated with First World Immigration, to prepare documents identifying Headley as its
representative. The defendant also assisted Headley in obtaining a visa for his travel to India. On
the application for this visa, Headley misrepresented his true given name, his father’s true given
After receiving the defendant’s approval and assistance for the use of First World
Immigration as a cover for his activities on behalf of Lashkar in Mumbai, Headley returned to
Pakistan in or about July or August 2006, where he met with Major Iqbal and informed him of the
defendant’s approval. Major Iqbal provided Headley with $25,000 to cover expenses to establish
and operate the First World Immigration office in Mumbai, as well as for Headley’s living expenses
while in Mumbai. Major Iqbal instructed Headley to travel to India, but not to go through Pakistan.
He further instructed Headley to get settled in Mumbai, open the business office, and then take
photographs and videotapes of various locations, particularly public areas and areas related to the
Indian military.
While in Pakistan, Headley also met with Lashkar leaders Sajid and Muzzammill on at least
two occasions. Headley told them that the defendant agreed to using First World Immigration as
a cover for his activities in Mumbai. Headley also showed Sajid and Muzzammill the visa he had
obtained for travel to India. Sajid instructed Headley on how to travel to and from Mumbai, and
23
what locations would be the subject of his surveillance, including the Taj Mahal Hotel. During
Headley’s second meeting with Sajid and Muzzammill, Zaki was present. Zaki wished Headley
In or about September 2006, Headley traveled to Mumbai for the first time. Headley rented
a room in the home of an elderly couple who was unaware of Headley’s affiliation with Lashkar.
Headley visited and made videotapes of several locations, including the Taj Mahal hotel and a
military cantonment. In or about October or early November, Headley set up an office for First
World Immigration in Mumbai, which was called the Immigrant Law Center (ILC).
In approximately December of 2006, Headley returned to Pakistan. He met with Major Iqbal
and debriefed him on the surveillance completed in Mumbai. In addition, Headley provided Major
Iqbal with a memory card containing the videos he had taken in Mumbai. Major Iqbal returned the
memory card to Headley in the next day or so. Soon thereafter, Headley met with Sajid and
Muzzammill to debrief them on his activities in Mumbai. Headley provided Sajid with the same
memory card, which Sajid kept, as well as maps of Mumbai. Later, Headley again met with Sajid
and Abu Qahafa, who was also present at this meeting. Headley, Sajid, and Abu Qahafa discussed
Headley’s surveillance work in Mumbai. Sajid instructed Headley to return to Mumbai and take
detailed videos of the Taj Mahal hotel. More specifically, Sajid instructed Headley to take video
of the second floor of the hotel where the conference and ball rooms were located, as well as the
stairs leading to those locations. Furthermore, Sajid told Headley to perform surveillance of the
police station closest to the hotel. Sajid also told Headley that he (Sajid) had discussed Headley’s
24
Before returning to Mumbai, Headley met again with Major Iqbal. Like Sajid, Major Iqbal
instructed Headley to take detailed footage of the Taj Mahal hotel, including the conference rooms.
Major Iqbal explained to Headley that the Taj Mahal hotel hosted conferences which were attended
by India’s top scientists and engineers. Major Iqbal further instructed Headley to surveil public and
government areas in India. Major Iqbal told Headley that he (Major Iqbal) had discussed Headley’s
Headley’s second trip to Mumbai occurred from approximately February through May 2007.
As instructed, Headley took more video and photos of the Taj Mahal. Headley also made
surveillance footage of the Oberoi Hotel, although he was not instructed to do so, because of its
When Headley returned to Pakistan after the second trip to Mumbai, he met first with Major
Iqbal. Headley provided Major Iqbal with two memory cards, one containing videos of Mumbai,
and the other containing videos of a different location. Major Iqbal and Headley also discussed
Headley’s acquaintance with Raja Rege (a prominent member of the Shiv Sena party) and Rahul
Bhatt (a prominent actor in India and the son of a well-known film-maker in Bollywood, a term for
the Indian film industry). Headley explained that he had befriended these individuals. Major Iqbal
requested that Headley get closer to Shiv Sena, possibly by joining the organization, and suggested
that Headley stay engaged with these people.16 Soon thereafter, Major Iqbal returned the memory
card with videos of Mumbai to Headley. Headley then met with Sajid, Muzzammill, and Abu
16
In a recorded conversation which is more fully set forth below, Headley and the
defendant discussed both Bollywood and Shiv Sena as “targets” for potential attack.
25
Qahafa. Headley provided Sajid with the memory card and debriefed the group on his surveillance
in Mumbai. Later, after Sajid had the opportunity to watch the videos made by Headley, they met
to discuss the videos. They discussed entrance and exit points from the Taj Mahal hotel, as well as
the jewelry store located in the hotel. Sajid instructed Headley to make additional video of the
jewelry store.
Headley kept the defendant informed of his activities in Mumbai. In or around June 2007,
after his trip to Mumbai and to Pakistan, Headley returned to Chicago and met with the defendant.
Headley told the defendant about some of his activities in Mumbai, including taking video
surveillance of the Taj Mahal hotel. Further, Headley related to the defendant his discussions with
Sajid and Major Iqbal, and described their reaction to the work that Headley was performing.
Headley also explained that he had befriended in Mumbai an individual associated with the Shiv
Sena political party. Headley believed the Shiv Sena party to be anti-Muslim. Headley talked with
the defendant about organizing a fundraiser for Shiv Sena in Chicago as a way to strengthen
Headley’s ties with this individual. The defendant did not object to organizing this fundraiser.
After visiting Chicago, Headley traveled to Pakistan, where he met with Major Iqbal and
Sajid on several occasions. Major Iqbal asked Headley to obtain a schedule of conferences to be
held at the Taj Mahal hotel. He also gave Headley a cell phone that could record video and
instructed him on how to surreptitiously use it, which Major Iqbal referred to as “clandestine
photography.”
In or about September 2007, Headley made his third trip to Mumbai to conduct surveillance.
During this trip, as instructed, he took further surveillance of several locations, including the Taj
26
Mahal. Headley also visited the Indian National Defense College based on a previous instruction
from Pasha.
met with Major Iqbal several times. As with the previous meetings, Headley debriefed Major Iqbal
on his surveillance activities and provided him with a memory card containing the most recent
videos. Major Iqbal gave Headley approximately $20,000 worth of Indian currency for his expenses
in India. Major Iqbal told Headley that once the attack on the Taj Mahal was complete, he wanted
Headley to travel to Delhi, India, to perform surveillance of military facilities, again using an office
Headley also met several times with Sajid while he was in Pakistan. During one of those
meetings, Zaki, Abu Qahafa, Muzzammill and a person who Headley believed to be a member of
the Pakistani military were also present. During that particular meeting, they discussed potential
landing sites for a team of attackers who would arrive in Mumbai by sea. Zaki stated that he wanted
the attackers to land directly in front of the Taj Mahal hotel, but Headley advised that this landing
site was too dangerous given the close proximity of Indian military to the hotel. Zaki responded by
stating that despite the danger, “I see it happening.” Another landing site approximately 40 miles
outside of Mumbai was also discussed, but Sajid objected because of his concern that the attackers
would be unable to find their way to Mumbai. Ultimately, Zaki instructed Headley to return to
Before returning to Mumbai, Headley again met with Sajid and Abu Qahafa (as well as one
other Lashkar member), during which they reviewed Google Earth images of the waters surrounding
Mumbai. Headley later was provided a GPS device. Both Sajid and Abu Qahafa showed Headley
27
how to record locations with this device. Once again, Headley was provided with instructions as
surveillance of potential landing sites, and took boat rides around the Mumbai harbor, using the GPS
and making videos. Headley also performed surveillance of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
train station. Additionally, based on instructions from Major Iqbal, Headley visited a nuclear power
plant in India to conduct surveillance. After completing these surveillance activities, Headley
returned to Pakistan and met with Zaki, Sajid, Abu Qahafa, and another Lashkar member. Abu
Qahafa downloaded the contents of the device and used Google Earth to view images of the
locations. Headley recommended a landing point for the attackers near a small fisherman’s bay on
the coast of Mumbai. Headley further recommended that, after landing, the attackers could use taxis
to reach their attack locations. Zaki again expressed his preference that the attackers land right in
front of the Taj Mahal hotel. Sajid told Headley that the attack would have to wait until September
at the earliest when the waters between Pakistan and India would be calmer. As before, Headley
also reported to Major Iqbal about what he had done, also providing to him copies of videos that he
had made. Further, Headley related to Major Iqbal the discussions that he had with Lashkar
In or about the summer of 2008, Headley traveled to Chicago and stayed with the defendant.
Headley described to the defendant the surveillance that he had conducted, including the Taj Mahal
hotel and train station. Headley told the defendant about his boat trips, as well as the meetings with
28
Sajid and others regarding the attackers’ planned ingress by sea and the recommended landing
points. Headley told the defendant about Zaki’s idea of having the attackers land in front of the Taj
Mahal hotel. Headley told the defendant planned attacks in Mumbai were being delayed to wait for
calmer waters. Further, Headley related to the defendant his surveillance of the nuclear power plant
at Major Iqbal’s instruction. The defendant told Headley that Major Iqbal had called him. Headley
told the defendant about Major Iqbal’s request that Headley perform surveillance in Delhi, India,
Headley also kept the defendant, as well as coconspirators Major Iqbal and Sajid, apprised
of his relationship with Raja Rege, a member of Shiv Sena. In May 2008, Headley and Major Iqbal
engaged in an email exchange regarding Headley’s friendship with Raja Rege. On May 20, 2008,
Major Iqbal wrote that “what all advantages we can get from this person except strengthening our
cover . . . will this all be generating any worthwhile information related to military or forces . . . is
rana sahib interested and capable to handle this all.” Headley also discussed Raja Rege via email
with Sajid. On May 21, 2008, Sajid wrote a list of questions about Raja Rege, including “does
doctor sahib knows about it and if yes What he says?” Several days later, Headley sent an email to
Raja Rege telling him that he should come to America for a fundraiser.
After visiting Chicago, Headley returned to Pakistan and met several times with Sajid and
Abu Qahafa. Sajid instructed Headley to return to Mumbai again and returned the GPS device to
Headley. Sajid instructed him to enter the coordinates for a long list of locations that included the
Taj Mahal hotel, the CST train station, the Chabad House (a Jewish community center) and the Siddi
Vinayak temple. Sajid told Headley that he could not have enough video of the Taj Mahal hotel.
In addition, Zaki met with Headley to give him encouragement regarding the planned attack. Zaki
29
told Headley that their work in Mumbai would heal the breasts of believers and give Muslims in
India something to be happy about. During this trip to Pakistan, Headley also met with Major Iqbal,
who provided Headley with Indian currency to use for expenses. Headley and Major Iqbal discussed
closing the office of First World Immigration in Mumbai and sending Headley to Delhi to perform
surveillance there.
In or about July 2008, Headley returned to Mumbai for the fifth time to carry out instructions
and surveillance activities. Headley conducted surveillance of a number of locations, including the
Taj Mahal hotel, Oberoi Hotel, Leopold Café, Chabad House, the train station, various potential
landing sites, and a Hindu temple, where Headley purchased approximately 15 red bracelets
commonly worn by followers of the Hindu faith. While Headley was performing this final
surveillance in advance of the Mumbai attack, Major Iqbal attempted to contact Headley through
the defendant and obtain a status on his efforts.17 More specifically, on July 1, 2008 Major Iqbal
On July 7, 2008, RANA responded, stating: “Acknowledge, Dr. Rana.” Major Iqbal then responded,
17
Headley has explained that while he was in India, he avoided having direct
contact with his handlers in Pakistan, including Sajid and Major Iqbal, for reasons of operational
security.
18
As noted above, “Gilani” is Headley’s birth name. The FBI has assessed that
“gallani” is a reference to Headley. Major Iqbal, in fact, sent an email to one of Headley’s
accounts (before the defendant responded), stating that he had sent this “mail id to dr tawar bu he
has not yet repleyed.”
30
“me iqbal how r u I wanted to know any progress made on the project . thanks.” That same day, a
message was sent from the defendant’s email account to one of Headley’s email account which was
a copy of an older message from an unrelated individual. Embedded in the middle of this message,
however, was “me Bala Ji [dear Bala] how r u I wanted to know any progress made on the project.”
Once his surveillance was completed, Headley returned to Pakistan and gave Sajid the GPS
device so that its contents could be downloaded. Headley and Sajid watched the surveillance videos
together and discussed Headley’s recommendations based on his surveillance. Headley gave Sajid
the approximately15 red bracelets he had purchased and recommended that the attacks wear the
bracelets during the attack in order to disguise themselves. Once the GPS was downloaded, Headley
kept possession of it. Headley also met with Major Iqbal, and again debriefed him not only on what
From July to November 2008, Headley met with Lashkar leaders, including Sajid and Abu
Qahafa, several times and learned additional details regarding the planning of the attacks. Sajid
discussed ways the attackers could rob the jewelry store in the Taj Mahal hotel and how those stolen
items could be taken out of Mumbai and sold. Sajid stated that Zaki planned the Mumbai attack and
wanted to control all aspects of the assault. Sajid explained to Headley that the attackers – who were
referred to as the “boys” – were training in a camp in Pakistan under Sajid and Abu Qahafa’s
supervision, and that Abu Qahafa was with the boys every step of the way. Sajid told Headley that
they were training 12 attackers, but only planned to use 10. As a part of their training, Sajid told
Headley that the attackers were being taught to swim and given nautical training. Later, Sajid told
Headley that six of the boys did not know how to swim and Sajid, at Headley’s suggestion, bought
31
In or around September 2008, Headley had a meeting with Sajid and Abu Qahafa (while
driving within Pakistan) during which Sajid informed Headley that Lashkar had dropped earlier
plans for the attackers to attempt escape, and instead decided that they would fight to the death. Abu
Qahafa stated that he thought this plan was better because it would cause the boys to fight harder.
Sajid explained that once the boys knew that they were going to die in the attack, Hafiz Saeed, Zaki,
and others gave lectures to the boys about the glory of martyrdom. During these lectures, Saeed told
the boys that being shot would feel like a pin prick, blood stains would be like rose petals, and that
Sajid and Headley continued to meet throughout approximately September, October, and
November, and Sajid told Headley about many of the details of the attack preparations. At one
point, Sajid gave Headley a cell phone and asked him to take it as close to the Indian border as
possible to test the reception. When Headley reported back that the phone got reception, Sajid told
Headley that the “boys” would carry cell phones during the attack and that their numbers would be
masked with some technique. During another meeting, Sajid told Headley that the “boys” would
travel to Mumbai by boat and that they would over-take an Indian fishing vessel and take it to
Mumbai. Sajid also told Headley that the “boys” would be using the landing point in Mumbai that
Headley had suggested based on his surveillance and would find the location based on the GPS unit.
In addition, Sajid told Headley that Zaki had decided to add the CST train station as a target.
During a meeting with Sajid in September, Sajid told Headley that the attack would occur
on the 27th night of Ramadan, which in 2008 would occur on September 29. Around this time,
Headley received a text message from Sajid stating something to the effect of “the game is afoot.”
After Ramadan, however, Sajid came to Headley’s home in Pakistan and explained that the boat
32
carrying the attackers got stuck on a rock and was destroyed. Sajid told Headley that everyone on
board survived, in part because they had life vests. Headley subsequently met with Pasha and told
him about the failed attempt. Pasha said that the failed attempt was a sign that God was not happy
with Lashkar.
Sajid told Headley that there would be a second attempt at the Mumbai attack in October
2008. Soon thereafter, Sajid told Headley that the second attempt failed. Sajid explained that
Lashkar had rented a boat for the attempt. After two or three days, the attackers spotted an Indian
fishing vessel and attempted to open fire on it, but the vessel escaped. Sajid said that the “boys”
were demoralized and sent back to a safe house in Karachi. In or around mid-November, Sajid
related to Headley that the team of attackers were in Karachi, Pakistan, readying for a third attempt
During the time periods between Headley’s trips to Mumbai, Headley occasionally met with
Pasha. Headley shared with Pasha the details of his surveillance efforts, and what he had learned
of Lashkar’s plans. Pasha made several comments in such discussions, including a suggestion to
By mid to late November 2008, Headley had learned from the defendant that he (the
defendant) was planning to travel to Mumbai and Dubai. Pasha wanted to speak with the defendant
about the immigration business. Knowing that Pasha would also be in Dubai, Headley arranged a
meeting between Pasha and the defendant. Headley asked Pasha to warn the defendant not to return
to Mumbai because he had heard from Sajid that the team of attackers were once again readying
33
On or about November 26, 2008, Headley received a text message from Sajid with words
to the effect of “turn on your t.v.” Headley then learned that the attacks had begun. After receiving
the text from Sajid, Headley also told Pasha, Major Iqbal and Saulat Rana the news about the attacks
starting.
Starting on November 26, 2008, ten attackers carried out multiple assaults with firearms,
grenades and improvised explosive devices against multiple targets in Mumbai, India, including the
Taj Mahal hotel, the Oberoi hotel, Leopold Café, the Chabad House and the CST train station.
Headley had performed surveillance of each of these locations. The attackers came ashore at a small
fisherman’s bay on the coast of Mumbai, the same location that Headley had recommended. Certain
attackers took taxis to reach their locations and, along the way, secreted improvised explosive
devices under the drivers’ seat. Some of these devices later exploded in other parts of Mumbai.
Over the course of three days, the attackers killed approximately 164 persons, including six United
States nationals.
Sajid, Abu Qahafa and another individual, Abu al Qama (identified as Lashkar Member C
in the superseding indictment) directed the attackers’ efforts during the assaults by maintaining
telephone contact with the attackers through a voice over internet account. The Government of India
intercepted and recorded over 200 telephone conversations between this group of controllers and
the attackers. Headley has identified the voices of Sajid, Abu Qahafa and Abu al Qama in a select
group of recordings played for Headley (ones in which the controllers did not identify themselves).
In other recorded telephone conversations not played for Headley, a linguist has isolated the voice
that Headley identified as Sajid and determined that this same individual repeatedly used the name
34
“Wasi” in his communications with the attackers.19
For example, in the following recording between an attacker at the Chabad House and a
SAJID: Then –
Attacker: Hello
***
Attacker: Yes
19
Headley knew Sajid to use, “Wasi” and “Ibrahim” as nicknames. When arrested,
Headley was in possession of a list of phone numbers, including one for Sajid with the name
“Wasi” written next to it. Further, in email and phone communications with others, Headley
referred to Sajid as “Wasi” and “Ibrahim.”
35
Attacker: One by me, one by Umar, both at the same time. [UI]
Allah is great.
Headley has identified Abu Qahafa’s voice in another recorded call with an attacker:
Attacker: [UI]
ABU QAHAFA: –meaning–that death comes for which [UI] wished [UI]
from Allah. And, I think--
Attacker: Right.
Attacker: [UI]
Attacker: [UI]
36
hesitation.
ABU QAHAFA: And, gI’ve the other brothers–give the other brothers
my Salaam, stay strong, create strength in your words.
You have left this--
Attacker: [UI]
Attacker: Alright.
ABU QAHAFA: And, Allah will definitely fulfill his promises, like he
has fulfilled them now.
In addition, Headley identified the voice of Abu al Qama in the following excerpt from a
recorded call with two attackers, during which Abu al Qama provided instructions to the attackers,
Attacker: [UI]
37
ABU AL QAMA: [UI]
***
****
ABU AL QAMA: Should we get you to speak with the media too?
Attacker 2: Yes.
[Background Noises]
Attacker 2: Yes.
ABU AL QAMA: You know what questions they ask? After one-two
[UI] they ask as to what your demand is, your demand?
Meaning, what is your demand?
Attacker 2: Right.
38
Attacker 2: Right.
ABU AL QAMA: And, they ask questions like who are you, where are
you from? Pakistan-India? And, with full confidence,
say, from Hindustan’s Hyderabad Deccan.
Attacker 2: Right.
[Pause]
ABU AL QAMA: Just like this ... when they ask as to how many people
you are ... where are you? What are you
doing?
Attacker 2: Right.
Attacker 2: [UI]
[Background noises]
***
39
is Allah and then stands strong by it, --
[Pause]
Attacker 2: [UI]
Attacker 2: What?
[Pause]
Attacker 2: What?
Attacker 2: [UI]
ABU AL QAMA: – You are not to talk to the media until I tell you do so.
Attacker 2: Right.
40
2. Discussion Among Coconspirators After the Attacks
A few days after the attacks, Headley met with Sajid in Lahore. Sajid shared with Headley
many details of the attacks. In particular, Sajid told Headley that, despite news reports, there were
only 10 attackers. Sajid explained to Headley how Abu Qahafa had trained the attackers on the use
of explosives and how he (Sajid) had instructed the attackers to place explosives in cabs in order to
cause confusion amongst the Indian officials responding to the attacks. Sajid also told Headley that
one of the attackers had been arrested and that Sajid had tried to free the attacker by instructing an
attacker at the Chabad House to contact the Israeli embassy and attempt to trade hostages for the
attacker. Sajid explained that he had chosen the Leopold Café as an attack location because it was
close to the Taj Mahal hotel and had instructed the attackers to move to the hotel after attacking the
café.
In a later meeting with Sajid, he related to Headley that certain attackers had not followed
his instructions, and had failed to sink the boat that was hijacked for their ingress to Mumbai. Sajid
related that one of the attackers mistakenly left on this boat a satellite phone that had been provided
to him. Indian authorities located this boat, recovered this phone, and provided it to the FBI for
forensic analysis. Stored in the phone’s contacts were two numbers identified as “Wasi.” The phone
had been used to contact “Wasi” on November 24, 2008, and had recovered a call from “Wasi” on
In or about December 2008, Headley traveled to Chicago and met with the defendant.
Headley told the defendant that the locations attacked in Mumbai were the same locations that
Headley had scouted and video taped. Headley also told the defendant he had discovered the
landing site used by the attackers. In response, the defendant told Headley that the Indians deserved
41
it.
Also in or about December 2008, Headley and Pasha communicated about the fact that
concern, considering his involvement in the Mumbai attacks. In this context, Pasha asked Headley
about Rana. More specifically, Pasha asked Headley “how’s the dr’s [the defendant’s] reaction on
what all is happening, is he terrified or relaxed.” Headley later responded that the defendant, was
“very relaxed,” and “trying to do Zihan saazi20 stating if this happens you should act like this and
if that happens you should do that and fear nothing except God.”21
On or about September 7, 2009, Headley and the defendant took a long car ride, which was
recorded and the government intends to introduce portions of the conversation at trial. During the
car ride, they talked about a number of things, including the Mumbai attacks. The defendant stated
that he talked with Pasha about the Mumbai attacks in Dubai before the attacks began. The
defendant further stated that the nine attackers who died should receive the award called Nishan-e-
Haider, which is Pakistan’s highest military award for gallantry. The defendant asked Headley if
he had been in contact with Sajid, and Headley confirmed that he had.19 The defendant stated that
if there were a medal for top command, Sajid should receive it. Headley related that he already had
passed the defendant’s compliments to Sajid. The defendant and Headley also discussed targets for
20
“Zihaan saazi” is the act of one person preparing another to perform another
action.
21
As described more fully in Section IV, in that same email, Pasha and Headley
discussed Headley’s anticipated trip to Denmark for the purposes of the conspiracies charged in
Counts Ten and Eleven.
19
The particular communication referenced by Headley is discussed more fully in
Section IV of this Santiago Proffer.
42
potential terrorist attacks, including Shiv Sena (the political party in India), Denmark, Bollywood
(a reference to the Indian film industry) and Somnath (a temple in India). Later, Headley added
throughout parts of 2009. On or about July 3, 2009, Headley received an email from Sajid, who told
Headley that he wanted to speak with him about “some new investment plans,” a coded reference
to the planning of another terrorist attack. On or about July 8, 2009, Headley sent an email to Sajid
that stated, in part, “[y]ou were saying all plans were ‘postponed indefinitely’ anyway so I thought
maybe I should relax a bit.” Sajid responded, indicating in part that his plans were to “see Rahul,”
which was a coded reference to India, and that “matters are good enough to move forward.”
Headley and Sajid continued to exchange emails throughout July 2009, with Headley asking whether
the “Northern Project,” another code for the planning of the Denmark attack, was still postponed and
whether the “visit to Rahul’s place” [India] was for “checking out real estate property like before,”
In March 2009, Headley prepared to return to India to carry out Sajid’s instructions. On
March 3, 2009, before he left for India to continue surveillance efforts, Headley sent an email to the
defendant. Because he was concerned about returning to India so shortly after the Mumbai attacks,
Headley sent a will to the defendant with instructions on how to handle his affairs if he was arrested.
In response, the defendant acknowledged receipt of the will and sent a coded message directing
Headley to use a different email account. More specifically, the defendant stated:
One of my brothers in Brigadier Movadat Hussain Rana and the other is Sibte Hassan
Rana monie. They are in Rawalpindi. I really admire emails making it instant half
43
mulaquat especially yahoo as it seems superior to hotmail. Talk to you later.
(Emphasis supplied). Records reveal that the mov.monie@yahoo account was created on or March
6, 2009. The account was opened under the name “Mr Mov Monie” with a date of birth of February
13, 1962, exactly one digit off from the month, date and year of the defendant’s actual birth date.
Later, on March 6, Headley also emailed the defendant from this address, stating:
Dr. Rana, I forgot to mention, Pasha seems a little upset that you may not be
responding to his requests in a timely fashion. So please call him when you can to
put his mind at ease. Dave.
In March 2009, Headley traveled to India, and performed surveillance of various locations
in India, including Chabad Houses and the National Defense College in Delhi. After returning to
Pakistan and debriefing Pasha on his surveillance efforts, Headley told Pasha that if they could
arrange an attack on the National Defense College, they could kill more brigadiers than had been
Count Eleven alleges that the defendant conspired with Headley and others to provide
material support to the conspiracy charged in Count Ten of the superseding indictment. Count Ten
alleges that various individuals were conspiring to murder and maim individuals at a newspaper
facility in Denmark. Among other evidence of the conspiracy charged in Count Eleven, the
government intends to offer the testimony of Headley, documents and records relating to Headley’s
travels to Denmark, and certain email communications and recorded conversations regarding the
The evidence, as summarized below, will establish the existence of the conspiracy charged
in Count Eleven. It further will establish that its members made statements during the course of
44
and in furtherance of the conspiracy. The government intends to offer the statements of the
defendant, Headley, Sajid, Pasha, Saulat Rana and Ilyas Kashmiri. While many, if not most, of these
statements are admissible as non-hearsay because they are not assertions of fact (e.g., they are
instructions, suggestions and questions), are not offered for the truth of the matter asserted, or are
the defendant’s own statements, the government submits that such statements may also admissible
under Rule 801(d)(2)(E). To the extent that the statements outlined below are offered pursuant to
Rule 801(d)(2)(E), they constitute classic examples of the information flow between conspirators.20
Even before the Mumbai attacks took place, Sajid began planning for an attack on the Danish
newspaper Jyllands-Posten that, in 2005, had published cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
In about October 2008, in one of the only meetings in which Headley met with Sajid and Major
Iqbal together, Sajid related to Major Iqbal that he had received instructions to avenge the cartoons.
Major Iqbal responded that he was surprised that an attack had not happened already.
In or around November 2008, Headley met with Sajid in Karachi, Pakistan. At this meeting,
Sajid instructed Headley that he was to perform surveillance in Denmark. Sajid provided Headley
with information about the cartoons and Denmark, including pictures of Kurt Westergaard (one of
the cartoonists) and Fleming Rose (the cultural editor), and instructed Headley to perform detailed
surveillance of the facilities of the newspaper Jyllands-Posten in Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark.
Sajid had a list of further instructions, and Headley took notes of what Sajid said. In December
20
Headley’s statements to the defendant regarding his introduction to Lashkar
members and other associates, and his training, as set forth in Section III (sub-sections A-C) are
also relevant and admissible statements to prove the conspiracy as charged in Count Eleven.
Those statements are therefore incorporated into Section IV by reference herein.
45
2008, Headley typed this list into an email with the title “Mickey Mouse,” referring to the cartoons.
The FBI has obtained this email. When Headley later told Sajid that he had named the project
“Mickey Mouse,” Sajid informed him that there was already a project underway with that name.
Therefore, Sajid instead referred to the planning for the attack in Denmark as the “Northern Project.”
After his meeting with Sajid, Headley informed Pasha about the assignment that he had
received. Pasha suggested to Headley that if Lashkar would not go through with the Denmark
attack, he knew someone who would. Pasha did not mention the person by name at that time, but
Pasha previously had mentioned to Headley that he was working with a person with direct contact
with Al Qaeda. Headley later learned that this person was Kashmiri.
In December 2008, Headley again met with Sajid and discussed a potential attack on the
newspaper. Headley suggested that the attack focus on those responsible for the cartoons, referring
to Westergaard and Rose. Sajid responded that “all Danes are responsible” and said that he wanted
to burn down Denmark. Sajid provided money to Headley to pay for the expenses of his
After meeting with Sajid, Headley met with Major Iqbal in December 2008. He told Iqbal
about his specific Denmark tasking from Sajid and Major Iqbal responded that the cartoons were
an emotional issue and expressed his approval with the attack plan. Headley also told Saulat Rana
Headley returned to the United States later that month and stayed with the defendant in
46
Chicago. Once in Chicago, Headley told the defendant about his new assignment from Sajid.
Headley told the defendant what Sajid had said, and informed him that he would be traveling to
Denmark to visit the Jyllands-Posten facilities. Headley told the defendant that Sajid had given him
money for expenses for the trip to Denmark. Headley also told the defendant that he had discussed
his assignment with Pasha, and related Pasha’s comment that if Lashkar did not go through with it,
he knew someone who would. The defendant responded that he was angry about the cartoons, and
At the end of December, the defendant traveled to Canada. At about this time, Headley
exchanged a series of email communications with Pasha. In late December 2008 and early January
2009, Headley exchanged several emails with Pasha regarding his preparations. For example, on
December 16, 2008, Headley emailed Pasha that he “will be going for the Mickey Mouse project
in the north in the middle of next month.” On December 24, 2008, Headley emailed Pasha that he
was “[p]lanning for MMP” and asked Pasha to send him “info about it” on another email address.
Pasha responded on December 24, 2008, stating that Headley should “try to go as early as possible
to MMP.” On December 25, 2008, Pasha further responded “no need to use that [email] address
yet.. first u visit MMP than we will discuss and c the concerned person if needed, and if your friends
As described more fully in Section III, in December 2008, Headley and Pasha communicated
about the fact that Headley’s relative in Philadelphia was interviewed by law enforcement and
Headley expressed concern about the interview, considering his involvement in the Mumbai attacks.
In the same email, Headley and Pasha communicated about the Denmark plot. More specifically,
47
Headley related that he needed to “consult” the defendant and noted that he will “spend a week or
so the first time to get a feel of the property,” referring to his anticipated trip to Denmark.
In January 2009, the defendant returned from Canada and Headley sought, and obtained, the
defendant’s permission to once again use the immigration business as cover for why he truly was
visiting Denmark. Headley told the defendant that he would gain entry into the newspaper’s
facilities by expressing interest in placing an advertisement in the newspaper. The defendant told
Headley that he approved of using First World Immigration as a cover in Denmark. To further this
plan, the defendant and Headley went to a printing shop in Chicago, and had business cards made
identifying Headley as a consultant for the Immigrant Law Center, the defendant’s business.
In mid-January 2009, Headley visited Denmark, and performed surveillance of two separate
Jyllands-Posten facilities. Headley took extensive video of King’s Square in Copenhagen, where
one of the newspaper facilities was located, as well as a parade of soldiers that marched through the
streets of Copenhagen and near the newspaper facility. As planned, Headley gained access into the
facility by falsely telling newspaper representatives that he wished to place an ad in their newspaper
While in Denmark, Headley exchanged emails with the defendant. In a January 20, 2009,
email, out of a concern that his cover could be blown, Headley asked the defendant to contact First
World employees at the Toronto and New York offices and instruct them to make sure “to remember
me [Headley]” because those locations were listed on the business cards that they had created.
Headley feared that a Jyllands-Posten representative would contact those offices. Also on that date,
Headley told the defendant in an email that he would be leaving Copenhagen to:
48
go to another city in this country for my vacation. I havent decided which one,
maybe arhus. So please tell ALL our offices if they receive a call about me,
to please confirm my job there.
After leaving Denmark, Headley returned to Pakistan and separately met with Sajid, Major
Iqbal and Pasha. Headley debriefed Sajid in detail, and showed him the video that he had taken, to
which Sajid remarked that they could throw a grenade at the parade of soldiers and steal their
weapons. Sajid asked Headley if a “stronghold” style of attack, similar to the Mumbai attacks,
would work at the Jyllands-Posten building in Copenhagen and Headley said that it would. Sajid
showed Headley a written report that he had prepared for Zaki concerning the planning for the
attack.
Headley also showed his surveillance video to Major Iqbal, however, Major Iqbal was more
concerned with the attention that the Mumbai attacks had received and instructed Headley to lay
low. Headley also provided the videos to Pasha, who again sought to convince Headley to leave
Lashkar and carry out the attacks with the assistance of Kashmiri instead. After talking more with
Pasha over the course of a few days, Headley agreed to meet with Kashmiri. Pasha gave Headley
an Al Qaeda video that discussed the cartoons and the bombing of Denmark’s embassy in Islamabad.
In or around February 2009, Headley, Pasha and two other individuals traveled
approximately 12 hours to the FATA to meet with Kashmiri. During the car ride, Pasha told
Headley that he had discussed the potential attack in Copenhagen with Kashmiri and had supplied
congratulated Headley on the Mumbai attacks. Kashmiri told Headley that he already had seen the
49
Denmark videos that Headley had made. Headley explained that Lashkar was interested in carrying
out the attack, but Kashmiri told him that Lashkar’s participation in an attack was not necessary.
Kashmiri stated that the cartoons were published with malicious intent, and talked about driving a
truck filled with explosives into the Jyllands-Posten building. Headley responded that he did not
think this was the best idea and explained how to gain access to the building. After discussing the
possible ways to carry out the attacks, Kashmiri told Pasha and Headley that he had the manpower
In addition to their discussion about Denmark, Kashmiri related that the “elders” (who
Headley understood to be al Qaeda leadership) were upset about the Israeli army’s actions in Gaza
the previous month. Kashmiri instructed Headley to return to India and conduct surveillance of
Chabad Houses located throughout India. After the meeting with Kashmiri, Pasha related more
specific instructions to Headley. Pasha identified a number of cities and location that Headley
should surveil beyond the Chabad houses, including the National Defense College in Delhi. Pasha
had previously told Headley that he (Pasha) had conducted surveillance of the National Defense
College with Sajid years earlier. Pasha later provided about 55,000 rupees to cover the expenses of
this trip.
While in Pakistan, Headley met separately with Sajid. Sajid told Headley that he wanted
Headley to attend another three month Lashkar training course. Also at this time, Sajid informed
Headley that Lashkar was putting its plan to attack the newspaper on hold because of the increased
scrutiny on Lashkar after the Mumbai attacks. Upon learning this, Headley decided to focus on
planning for the attack with Pasha and Kashmiri. Around the same time, Headley met with Major
50
Iqbal, who informed him that the investigation into the Mumbai attacks was intense. Major Iqbal
instructed Headley to remove any incriminating materials from his house, and to avoid contact with
him.
In or about April 2009, Pasha told Headley that they would be returning to the FATA to
again meet with Kashmiri. Pasha told Headley that Kashmiri had met with an associate to talk about
the attack. In May 2009, Headley, Pasha and a relative of Headley’s, Saulat Rana, traveled to the
FATA to meet with Kashmiri. During a meeting with Kashmiri, he (Kashmiri) told Headley that
he was eager to carry out the attacks, and instructed Headley to make contact with his (Kashmiri’s)
associate in Europe. Kashmiri stated that his European associates could provide Headley with
money, weapons and manpower for the attack on the newspaper. Kashmiri provided a phone
number for the associates, and stated that one of the associate’s friends was willing to carry out a
suicide attack. Kashmiri told Headley to meet with them, give the friend a good pep talk and
instruct him to prepare a martyrdom video. Kashmiri told Headley that he envisioned a total of
about 3 or 4 attackers taking over the second floor of the Jyllands-Posten facility in Copenhagen.
Kashmiri suggested that the attackers should behead hostages and throw their heads out the
window, stating that this would receive great attention and would ensure that response forces would
kill the attackers. Kashmiri stated that he did not want the attackers to survive. Kashmiri provided
money to Headley to cover the travel expenses of the meeting with his associates. Kashmiri told
Headley that the “elders” – who Headley understood to be Al Qaeda’s senior leadership – wanted
In June 2009, Headley returned to Chicago and related the above-mentioned details regarding
51
the planning of the Denmark attack during Headley’s May meeting with Kashmiri to the defendant.
The defendant responded that this [referring to the attack] would be a big deal. Headley also told
the defendant about his March surveillance efforts in India, including his surveillance of the
While in Chicago, Headley attempted to contact Kashmiri’s associate, but was unsuccessful.
Headley was concerned that he had the incorrect contact information for this associate and wanted
to get in touch with Pasha. At around this same time, however, Headley learned that Pasha had been
taken into custody by Pakistani authorities. Headley, therefore, instructed Saulat Rana, who was still
in Pakistan, to make contact with an individual who could arrange a meeting with Kashmiri and then
travel to meet with Kashmiri. Headley instructed Saulat Rana to tell Kashmiri about Pasha’s arrest
and ask Kashmiri for different contact information for Kashmiri’s associate. Prior to hearing from
Saulat Rana, however, Headley already had reached and spoken with this associate by telephone.
Headley arranged travel to Europe to meet with Kashmiri’s associate and another individual.
Around this time, the defendant was scheduled to travel from Chicago to Australia. Before
he left, the defendant told Headley that his brother would be sending the defendant $5,000 for Zakat,
which is the act of purifying one’s wealth by donating to charity. Headley and the defendant
discussed using the money for Headley’s expenses in Denmark and the defendant agreed to give
Later in July 2009, Headley gave the defendant the Al Qaeda video that Headley previously
had received from Pasha discussing the cartoons and the bombing of the Denmark embassy in
Islamabad. On July 26, 2009, Headley traveled to Europe to meet with Kashmiri’s associates.
52
Headley told them that Kashmiri said they could provide manpower, weapons and a certain amount
of money to support the attack. Kashmiri’s associate told Headley that they did not have the full
amount of money, but gave Headley about one-fifth of the full amount. The second associate told
Headley that he knew what the target was, but did not know how they would be able to carry out an
attack on the target. This second associate explained to Headley that it would be difficult to get
manpower for the attack and that neither of them had access to weapons. Headley understood that
this second associate would be going to visit Kashmiri and discuss the Denmark attack in further
detail.
Headley then traveled to another European location to meet with a person who Pasha thought
might be able to assist with the Denmark attack. This individual declined to be involved because
he believed that he was under surveillance by the government. Headley then traveled to
well as other locations. Headley took video of the locations where he thought the Danes would post
snipers in response to a stronghold attack. While in Copenhagen, Headley made some effort to
locate Fleming Rose and Westergaard. Headley visited, but did not enter, a synagogue which he
On or about August 5, 2009, Headley returned to the United States. Following his return,
Headley briefed the defendant in detail about his meeting with Kashmiri’s associates. Headley also
told the defendant about the surveillance he had completed in Denmark, including his video taping
Further, Headley continued to communicate by email with Sajid. Headley told Sajid (in
code) that he had traveled to Copenhagen. On or about August 8, 2009, Headley related to Sajid that
53
the defendant had heard portions of the intercepted phone calls between the Mumbai attackers and
the controllers (by this date, it had been revealed in open press reports that Indian authorities had
intercepted these calls), and the defendant had given Sajid the name Khalid bin Waleed, which was
In August and continuing into September, while Headley was in Chicago, Headley had
several telephone conversations with Pasha. Certain of these conversations were recorded and the
government intends to introduce them at trial. For example, on or about August 22, 2009, Headley
spoke with Pasha by telephone, and discussed, in part, the parade of soldiers in Copenhagen that
Headley had videotaped. Headley related that he spoke to a soldier and asked whether the soldiers
carried real ammunition, who stated that they did. Headley told Pasha that he had related his
On or about August 28, 2009, Headley spoke with Pasha by telephone. Headley and Pasha
spoke in coded language regarding the establishment of an email account. Headley told Pasha that
he had formed an account on the “same system” and instructed Pasha to write his colleague’s name
(Haroon) and that colleague’s younger brother’s name (Khurram) and write “1” with it. Because
of confusion over the order of words and numbers used to create this account, they actually spoke
As already discussed in part in Section III, on or about September 7, 2009, Headley and the
defendant took a long car ride. During the car ride, they talked about a number of things, including
the Mumbai attacks (as set forth in Section III) and other potential targets for attacks. Their
21
Khalid bin Waleed was a commander for the military forces of the Prophet
Muhammed.
54
conversation was recorded and the government intends to introduce portions of the conversation at
trial. During the car ride, the defendant stated that he talked with Pasha about the Mumbai attacks
in Dubai before the attacks began. The defendant asked Headley if he had been in contact with
Sajid, and Headley confirmed that he had (referring to the above discussed email exchange). The
defendant stated that if there were a medal for top command, Sajid should receive it. Headley
related that he already had passed the defendant’s compliments to Sajid, as discussed above. The
defendant and Headley also discussed targets for potential terrorist attacks, including Shiv Sena (the
political party in India), Denmark, Bollywood (a reference to the Indian film industry) and Somnath
(a temple in India). Later, Headley added another potential target, the National Defense College in
Delhi.
On or about September 13, 2009, Pasha told Headley in a telephone conversation using
coded language that Kashmiri had been killed. (This report, as it turned out, was false.) Headley
and Pasha discussed that the “doctor” may have “gotten married,” which was code for Kashmiri may
have been killed. Headley speculated that their planning would be suspended as a result, but Pasha
disagreed.
The next day, Headley told the defendant in a phone conversation that the “doctor” may have
“gotten married,” using the same coded language that he had used with Pasha. The defendant
responded with words to the effect that “pray that this should not have happened.”
In a telephone conversation on or about September 17, 2009, Headley told Pasha that, in light
of Kashmiri’s reported death, they would need to return to discussing the project with Sajid, to
whom Headley referred as “Ibrahim.” Headley complained that Sajid and Major Iqbal were focused
55
on India, stating that “their eyes are again in that direction.” Pasha responded in code, using the
In a telephone conversation on September 21, 2009, Pasha informed Headley that the news
of Kashmiri’s death was inaccurate. Headley referred to his upcoming travel to Pakistan, and asked,
using code, whether he would be able to meet with Kashmiri. Pasha responded that he would, and
On October 3, 2009, as Headley was preparing to leave for Pakistan, he spoke with the
defendant about setting up another coded email account. They agreed that the first portion of the
name would be “liaqatwing,” referring to the wing of the school they both attended, and discussed
how the number that would follow “liaqatwing” would change over time based on a simple math
formula that they practiced. Later that same day, Headley was arrested at O’Hare Airport as he
prepared to board a flight to Pakistan. Among other items found in his possession was a memory
stick containing approximately 13 short videos of the surveillance which he had performed in
Copenhagen in August 2009. Further, the FBI recovered a set of notes that Headley had written for
himself on the stationary of the hotel at which he stayed in Europe following his first meeting with
Kashmiri’s associates.
56
V. CONCLUSION
The above is an outline of the evidence that the government will introduce at trial. The
government respectfully submits that the evidence recited above establishes by a preponderance of
the evidence that: (1) the charged conspiracies existed; (2) the defendant and above referenced
declarants were members of the charged conspiracies; and (3) their statements were made during
Respectfully submitted,
PATRICK J. FITZGERALD
United States Attorney
57