An 18-year-old recently arrested on terrorism charges in Arizona has the mental capacity of a child and had been in regular contact with the FBI for years before his arrest, according to family members, former teachers, and medical documents reviewed by
The Intercept. Mahin Khan was arrested July 1 on
charges of plotting to support the Taliban as well as the militant group the Islamic State and commit acts of terrorism in the local community.
People close to Khan say that he
suffered from serious mental and emotional illnesses and that the FBI was aware of this, having met with him regularly since he was a young teenager. According to medical records and statements from family members, he was first referred to the FBI after sending a threatening email to one of his teachers at the age of 15. After an initial meeting with the FBI, he spent 45 days at an inpatient psychiatric facility for evaluation. His family says this stay at the facility was coordinated with FBI officials. Agents reportedly continued to meet with Khan regularly after he returned home and continued to do so up until the time of his arrest.
A community activist told
The Intercept that after Khan's initial contact with the FBI, he began regularly meeting with the teenager in an attempt to mentor him. He said that during these meetings, Khan had exhibited obvious signs of mental illness. "
He was unable to even tie his shoelaces and his mother would have to do it for him. He would say things supporting extremism and terrorist groups but then would later start crying and apologizing," the activist said. The activist did not want to be named for fear of retribution from law enforcement.
Comment: The fire was apparently fed by dry grass and high temperatures, and fueled by the cars' tires and gasoline tanks.
Even though firefighters reportedly arrived and extinguished the blaze within an hour, the damage was significant; the Portuguese Insurance Association met with emergency personnel immediately. Event organizers reportedly have insurance to cover the damage.
However, a representative of the Consumer Protection Association told a newspaper that this is the first time in the European Union that more than 400 cars were destroyed and the incident will likely lead to creating new rules by insurers.
As extreme weather related events continue around the globe, it is likely that more insurance companies will 'create new rules' to adapt to these increasing 'earth changes'.