Zazi has been indicted on a charge of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction. Investigators say evidence will prove that he conspired with others to detonate improvised explosive devices within the United States.
Authorities say they found nine empty backpacks and a scale in Khan’s apartment. Investigators say the items are of interest because backpacks were used in the London, England, and Madrid, Spain, mass transit attacks; scales are sometimes used to measure explosive ingredients.
Khan told CNN on Monday those backpacks belonged to his uncle, one of five men who live in the two-bedroom apartment. Khan says the backpacks were given to his uncle by a store that was “going out of business or getting rid of merchandise.”
He said his uncle took them to give to relatives in Pakistan during his next visit.