Ohio man allegedly linked to assassination plot against former President George W. Bush

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Ohio man allegedly linked to a bizarre plot to assassinate former President George W. Bush appeared in court Tuesday following his arrest hours earlier by FBI terrorism task force agents.

Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, an Iraqi national living in Columbus, Ohio, was detained following a long-running investigation in which the suspect allegedly outlined a plan to smuggle operatives affiliated with ISIS into the United States to murder the former president, according to court documents.

Bush was never in any jeopardy, two law enforcement officials said Tuesday.

"President Bush has all the confidence in the world in the United States Secret Service and our law enforcement and intelligence communities," said Freddy Ford, the former president's chief of staff in a written statement.

Shihab, who faces a Friday detention hearing, originally entered the U.S. in September 2020 on a visitor visa, and in March 2021, filed a claim for asylum that is pending review, authorities said.

Read more: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2022/05/24/ohio-man-george-w-bush-assassination-plot/9909835002/
(Columbus Dispatch)