Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

JFK Bomb Informant Had Affair With Terrorist's Daughter


By

Ben Yakas

Published Jul 16, 2010

Modified Jul 16, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Abdel Nur

 


By

Ben Yakas

Published Jul 16, 2010

Modified Jul 16, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Talk about deep cover: The informant who helped halt the plot to blow up JFK airport was engaged in a relationship with the daughter of one of the would-be terrorists. Steven Francis, an Arabic-speaking, twice-convicted drug trafficker from the Dominican Republic who converted to Islam in 1994, infiltrated the group, and had an affair with the daughter of Abdel Nur, one of the alleged terrorists.

Francis has been testifying all week, leading to revelations about the plots nickname "The Shining," the lax security at the airport, and plans to incorporate a rat army. A defense lawyer for Abdul Kadir tried to discredit Francis by revealing the affair, which took place while his wife was pregnant in the US, counteracting his claim that he was a devout Muslim. (Abdel Kir pleaded guilty before the trial.)

Brooklyn Federal Judge Dora Irizarry was unmoved by the lawyer's ploy: "Did anybody give him orders to go and have an affair with Miss Nur? I don't think so."

Tagged

abdel kir

jfk bombing

jfk terror

steven francis

trial


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims

The deal would compensate over 1,300 alleged victims and help the church avoid bankruptcy.

By

Arya Sundaram

Published Oct 24, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET


Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'

Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.

By

Arya Sundaram

News

Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'

Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.

By

Arya Sundaram


Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves

By

Elizabeth Shwe

and

Sean Carlson

NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home

By

Ryan Kost

3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes

By

Michael Sol Warren


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .