FBI closes chapter on worst bioterrorism case in U.S. history

by Rich Bowden - Aug 6 2008, 23:41

The FBI has said it is sure the eminent scientist who committed suicide last month was solely responsible for the deadly anthrax attacks that followed the infamous September 11 attacks on the U.S.

Img: Joseph Persichini (centre),U.S. Attorney Jeff Taylor (left) and Chief Postal Inspector Alexander Lazaroff. Credit: FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has said government scientist Dr. Bruce Ivins, who took his own life before charges could be laid, was behind the bioterrorism mailing spree that took five lives and injured seventeen -- the worst case of bioterrorism in U.S. history.

Img: Envelope of anthrax letter sent to Sen. Daschle. Credit: US Government.

“Bruce Ivins was responsible for the death, sickness, and fear brought to our country by the 2001 anthrax mailings,” said Jospeh Persichini, the Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI's Washington Field Office, during a press conference. Though the case will never be tried in a court of law because of the scientist's death, the FBI has taken the extraordinary step of full public disclosure to answer questions asked for seven years by the victims' families and to also close the case with the American public.U.S. Attorney Jeff Taylor, District of Columbia, explained in a press conference that: "because of the extraordinary public interest in this investigation... we are compelled to take the extraordinary step of providing the victims, their families, Congress, and the American public with an overview of some recent developments as well as some of our conclusions.""Based upon the totality of the evidence we had gathered against him, we are confident that Dr. Ivins was the only person responsible for these attacks," he added.The FBI said in a statement that the investigation, known as 'Amerithrax', was one of the largest in U.S. law enforcement history with 9,100 interviews and 6,100 subpoenas since the attacks in 2001.Dr. Ivins (62), who specialised in bio-weapons, was found dead on July 29 of this year after apparently taking his own life. He was allegedly behind the wave of panic in the U.S. following the September 11 atrocities when deadly anthrax spores were mailed to several media organisations and the offices of two Democratic Senators.

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FBI closes chapter on worst bioterrorism case in U.S. history

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