Jeweler convicted in NYC bogus bomb plot

A jeweler was convicted Thursday of falsely reporting that five Arab men were plotting to bomb New York subways on July 4, 2006, a hoax apparently meant to cause trouble for former business associates.

The jury in Manhattan's state Supreme Court deliberated four days before convicting Rimon Alkatri, 35, of falsely reporting an incident in the first degree. He faces up to seven years in prison.

Alkatri was allowed to remain free pending sentencing. A native of Syria, he also faces deportation as a convicted felon. His lawyer, Michael L. Soshnick, argued that a return home could be fatal because he is Jewish.

Alkatri was accused of calling police terrorism tips line on May 30, 2006. Using a prepaid cell phone that he threw away, Alkatri told police about a phony bomb plot set for July 4 and lied that he was Jose Rodriguez from Israel, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Alkatri used words that he knew would get police to act: Arabs, Allah Akbar, terrorists and suicide bombers.

Alkatri warned that five Arabs were plotting to bomb New York subways on Independence Day, launching a wide-reaching investigation, prosecutors said. More...