Man indicted in NY for support to al-Qaida

A Somali man with alleged ties to both al-Qaida and the Somalian al Shabaab terror group was indicted and secretly arraigned in Manhattan federal court Tuesday after two months of military interrogation overseas.

Ahmed Abdulquadir Warsame was charged with conspiracy and providing material support to both al Shabaab and al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, as well as teaching the use of explosives and firearms charges, officials said.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara described Warsame as a "conduit" and weapons broker between the two terror groups, who had been active in fighting in both Somalia and Yemen, and who was responsible for the death of at least one person.

He was captured by the U.S. military in April, according to a Justice Department news release, and questioned "for intelligence purposes" by the military for two months before being turned over to civilian authorities, and given his Miranda warnings.

He spoke to law enforcement "for several days" before being brought to the United States for arraignment and trial, the release said.

Ellen Davis, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney, said the reasons that Warsame's arraignment before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon was sealed were still sealed.

She said he pleaded not guilty. His lawyer could not be reached for comment.