It has been 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in America. After all these years, a major revelation has been made related to the investigation. An investigation has found video footage related to Omar al-Bayoumi. Which was not made public before. In this footage, Bayyoumi is seen with the future leader of al-Qaeda Anwar al-Awlaki. Both are also seen playing paintball near San Diego. The footage also shows the presence of an official from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of Saudi Arabia. Bayyoumi’s name came under investigation by the FBI after the 9/11 attacks. It was suspected that he helped two of the accused in the attacks. Despite having evidence, the FBI did not take any action.
Bayoumi has denied allegations that he is an extremist or a Saudi spy. Saudi Arabia has also denied any role of its government or officials in the 9/11 attacks. Awwami arrived in San Diego from Saudi Arabia in 1994. He claimed to have come to the United States to study English. According to documents that later surfaced, he did not pay much attention to his studies. He was involved in organizing religious events. According to the investigation report, a video from 1997 or early 1998 shows Awwami, Awlaki and several others participating in a military-style paintball game. Some were dressed in military uniforms. Some were seen chanting religious slogans during the game.
After the 9/11 attacks, FBI investigators were told that some people used the paintball sessions to train for jihad. Awlaki is also said to have had contacts with people associated with al-Qaeda at the time. In another video, in January 1998, Awwami and Awlaki are seen hugging each other.
The suspect’s ties to Saudi officials – The investigation also revealed that Al-Waumi had ties to Saudi officials and religious figures associated with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs. According to a BBC investigation, FBI officials also tried to question Saudi officials about these ties. But they were denied permission to do so. Al-Waumi’s name was also checked because his name appeared on an apartment rental agreement. The agreement was signed by Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihadher. Both were involved in 19 of the 9/11 hijackings. Both later took part in the attack on the Pentagon.
A few days after the 9/11 attacks, Al-Waumi moved to Birmingham, UK. He was arrested by British police on 21 September 2001. His hideout was searched. Thousands of documents, photographs and at least 80 video tapes were seized. A notebook page was also found in the documents. It contained a sketch of an airplane. Not only that, but mathematical calculations related to the altitude of the plane and its distance from the target were written down. The legal team for the families of the 9/11 victims has described it as very important evidence.
