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FBI releases anthrax probe papers | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A US judge has unsealed FBI documents on its investigation into the deadly anthrax attacks of 2001 and the role of a scientist who has killed himself. | A US judge has unsealed FBI documents on its investigation into the deadly anthrax attacks of 2001 and the role of a scientist who has killed himself. |
The papers have been made public, and politicians and relatives of the victims hope they will shed light on the actions of Dr Bruce Ivins. | |
Dr Ivins killed himself last week after being told he would face charges over the murder of the five victims. | Dr Ivins killed himself last week after being told he would face charges over the murder of the five victims. |
Anthrax was posted in letters shortly after the 11 September 2001 attacks. | Anthrax was posted in letters shortly after the 11 September 2001 attacks. |
The letters to media offices and politicians further unsettled a nation already traumatised by 9/11. | The letters to media offices and politicians further unsettled a nation already traumatised by 9/11. |
The sole deadly biological attack on US soil also left 17 people ill. | The sole deadly biological attack on US soil also left 17 people ill. |
Key questions | Key questions |
US District Judge Royce Lamberth in Washington ordered the release of hundreds of pages of FBI papers. | US District Judge Royce Lamberth in Washington ordered the release of hundreds of pages of FBI papers. |
ANTHRAX PANIC, 2001 First anthrax-laced letter is mailed on 18 Sept, 2001Florida sees first of five deaths, three weeks laterThe dead are two postal workers in Washington, a New York hospital worker, a Florida photo editor and an elderly woman in ConnecticutPanicked Americans try to stock up on antibiotic CiproPostal depots shut for de-contamination; mail is irradiatedSenate offices shut for weeksHoaxes become an almost daily occurrencePlans to deal with a biological weapons attack updated | ANTHRAX PANIC, 2001 First anthrax-laced letter is mailed on 18 Sept, 2001Florida sees first of five deaths, three weeks laterThe dead are two postal workers in Washington, a New York hospital worker, a Florida photo editor and an elderly woman in ConnecticutPanicked Americans try to stock up on antibiotic CiproPostal depots shut for de-contamination; mail is irradiatedSenate offices shut for weeksHoaxes become an almost daily occurrencePlans to deal with a biological weapons attack updated |
FBI director Robert Mueller has briefed the victims and their families about the findings behind closed doors in Washington. | |
Correspondents say the release of the papers shows the FBI is ready to end its investigation into the attacks, although officially the case will remain open for the time being. | |
Also on Wednesday a memorial service was being held for Dr Ivins at his work place - the army biological weapons laboratory in Fort Detrick, Maryland. | Also on Wednesday a memorial service was being held for Dr Ivins at his work place - the army biological weapons laboratory in Fort Detrick, Maryland. |
Dr Ivins oversaw anthrax, and vaccines for it, and took part in the investigation into the attacks. | Dr Ivins oversaw anthrax, and vaccines for it, and took part in the investigation into the attacks. |
| The key questions for which answers will be sought in the papers include:
|
Dr Ivins, 62, died in hospital on Tuesday last week apparently after an overdose. | Dr Ivins, 62, died in hospital on Tuesday last week apparently after an overdose. |
A lawyer for Dr Ivins said after his death that he had suffered "relentless accusation and innuendo", and that his innocence would have been proven in court. | A lawyer for Dr Ivins said after his death that he had suffered "relentless accusation and innuendo", and that his innocence would have been proven in court. |
But a social worker said in filed court documents that Dr Ivins had "a history dating to his graduate days of homicidal threats, plans and actions towards therapists". | But a social worker said in filed court documents that Dr Ivins had "a history dating to his graduate days of homicidal threats, plans and actions towards therapists". |