Government skeptical about threat to stadiums
WASHINGTON – An Internet message said dirty bombs would hit seven pro football stadiums this weekend, a claim met with “strong skepticism” Wednesday by the government, which advised fans not to change their plans.
While there was no intelligence to indicate such an attack was imminent, the government alerted authorities and stadium owners “out of an abundance of caution,” a Homeland Security Department spokesman said.
The online posting, dated Oct. 12, was part of an ongoing conversation titled “New Attack on America Be Afraid.” It appeared on a Web site, “The Friend Society,” that links to various online forums and off-color cartoons. The site’s Internet provider declined comment.
The message said trucks would deliver radiological bombs to stadiums in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland – and that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden later would claim responsibility.
Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the threat was viewed “with strong skepticism,” but the agency did contact the National Football League, local authorities and stadium owners. Also notified was the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Knocke said the department “strongly encourages the public to continue to go about their plans, including attending events that involve large public gatherings such as football games.”
FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said the threat was “questionable” and the bureau shared the information with the NFL as “part of our routine discussions this week.”
Officials were made aware of the Web posting on Monday. The threat was timed to be carried out this Sunday, marking the final day in Mecca of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month.
A copy of the posting said: “The death toll will approach 100,000 from the initial blasts and countless other fatalities will later occur as result from radioactive fallout.”
It said al-Qaida automatically would receive blame for the nearly simultaneous attacks, and predicted, “Later, through al-Jazeera, Osama bin Laden will issue a video message claiming responsibility for what he dubbed ‘America’s Hiroshima.’ “
A dirty bomb would use conventional explosives to scatter radioactive material. Such a blast probably would not cause many deaths, experts say, but the fear of contamination could spark panic. Land and buildings hit with radioactive particles might be unusable for years.
Authorities traced the site’s Internet provider to Voxel Dot Net Inc., which has support and engineering staff based in Troy, N.Y. A man who answered the phone at Voxel and declined to give his name said he was unaware of the posted threat on the Web site. He refused further comment.
The author of the threats, posted at 9:31 p.m. EDT on Oct. 12, identified himself online as “javness.”
“In the aftermath civil wars will erupt across the world, both in the Middle East and within the United States,” javness wrote. “Global economies will screech to a halt. General chaos will rule.”