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'They betrayed him': Former CIA informant who provided intelligence on bin Laden faces deportation

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • A former CIA informant, Blerim Skoro, who claims to have provided intelligence on Osama bin Laden, faces deportation from the US.
  • Skoro was recruited by the CIA shortly after 9/11 while serving time for drug trafficking and alleges he was promised safety in return for cooperation.
  • Despite his alleged contributions and having an American wife, Skoro has faced deportation proceedings, leading him to fear for his safety if returned to Kosovo.

Blerim Skoro, a Kosovo-born man who asserts he aided the CIA in apprehending terrorists, including providing intelligence on Osama bin Laden, is at risk of deportation from the United States following his recent arrest by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

I considered myself a patriot of America first and a Muslim second. I wanted to pay back this country.

— Blerim SkoroSkoro's statement in a 2024 interview about his motivations for cooperating with US authorities.

Skoro, 55, was reportedly recruited by the CIA just one day after the September 11 attacks, while he was incarcerated for drug trafficking. He claims he was promised safety in exchange for his cooperation. In a 2024 interview, Skoro stated, "I considered myself a patriot of America first and a Muslim second. I wanted to pay back this country."

His legal team has filed to terminate the deportation proceedings. Court documents reveal that Skoro allegedly shared a cell with the individual responsible for the Millennium Plot targeting Los Angeles Airport and provided the FBI with information on Faysal Galab, a member of the "Lackawanna Six" cell. Despite his alleged contributions and being married to an American citizen, Skoro was deported in 2007.

I never thought they were going to betray me like this.

— Blerim SkoroSkoro's expression of distress from the Elizabeth Detention Center regarding his deportation proceedings.

Skoro claims he returned to the US illegally after his cover was compromised and he survived an assassination attempt in Kosovo. He further alleges that he continued to provide valuable intelligence to the US, including "reliable" information on Osama bin Laden, according to FBI documents. He expressed deep distress over the prospect of deportation, stating in a phone interview from the Elizabeth Detention Center, "I never thought they were going to betray me like this."

He's done his time. He almost lost his life, and nobody gives a s**t. He deserves a pardon.

— Susan SkoroSkoro's wife expressing her belief that he has been wronged by the US authorities.

His wife, Susan, echoed his sentiments, telling CBS News, "He's done his time. He almost lost his life, and nobody gives a s**t. He deserves a pardon." She added, "He can't get deported anywhere safely. We're always looking over our shoulders."

He can't get deported anywhere safely. We're always looking over our shoulders.

— Susan SkoroSkoro's wife expressing concerns about his safety if he is deported.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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