US soldier charged in al-Qaida probe

A US National Guardsman accused of attempting to pass military intelligence to the al-Qaida terrorist network has been formally charged, an Army spokesman said.

Specialist Ryan Anderson was charged on February 12, but the US army did not immediately release that information, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Barger said yesterday.

A military defence lawyer has been appointed for Anderson.

Anderson was charged with two counts of attempting to supply intelligence to the enemy, the US army said.

Defence officials have said Anderson signed on to extremist internet chat rooms and tried to get in touch with al-Qaida operatives.

It is unclear how the US government got wind of his alleged offer to supply military information to the terrorists. It does not appear he transmitted any information to al-Qaida, authorities said.

Lt Col Barger said the soldier’s alleged attempts to pass information occurred between January 22 and February 11.

Anderson, a Muslim convert, was arrested on February 12.