Pair accused of making portable X-ray weapon

US authorities have accused two New York men of assembling a portable X-ray weapon that they intended to use to secretly sicken opponents of Israel.

Prosecutors said Glendon Scott Crawford, aged 49, of Galway, and Eric J Feight, aged 54, of Hudson, have been charged with conspiracy to provide support to terrorists following a year-long undercover investigation.

Investigators said Crawford approached Jewish organisations looking for people to help him with technology that could be used to surreptitiously deliver damaging and even lethal doses of radiation against those he considered enemies of Israel.

They assembled the mobile device, which was to be controlled remotely, but it was inoperable and nobody was hurt.

The damaging effects of the radiation would have appeared only days later, authorities said.

Both men could face up to 15 years in prison.

“This case demonstrates how we must remain vigilant to detect and stop potential terrorists, who so often harbour hatred toward people they deem undesirable,” US Attorney Richard Hartunian said.

The investigation by the FBI in Albany and police agencies began in Apr 2012, after authorities received information that Crawford had approached the Jewish organisations.

FBI Special Agent Andrew Vale said efforts to thwart violent plots require public help.