TerrorismPhiladelphia terror charges highlight mall kiosks security issues

The arrest last week of Abror Habibov on terrorism finance charges has brought new scrutiny to the oversight and security of mall kiosk businesses.

As ThePhiladelphia Inquirer reports, Habibov ran a series of largely unlicensed mall kiosks along the East Coast, where his employees sold kitchen wares and repaired cell phones. He was arrested after being caught organizing support with two other individuals for ISIS operations in Syria.

Security analysts say that the qualities which make these small businesses attractive to their owners — low overhead, short-term leases, and low site maintenance — may also serve as an ideal cover for employing members of terrorist groups.

“Malls are obviously paying more attention,” said Jack Tomarchio, a former U.S. Homeland Security official. “They’re bringing in more security guards. They’re heavily invested in technologies. In the common areas of malls, they have perimeter and indoor cameras.”

Attorney General Eric Holder also pointed to Habibov’s case as a reason to reconsider current measures.

“It would be the responsible thing for operators of these malls to increase their capabilities when it comes to keeping people safe who are just going about their everyday lives,” he said.

Prosecutors have argued that Habibov pledged to raise money to purchase plane tickets and a weapon for two associates — Akhror Saidakhmetov, another kiosk employee, and another man — both of whom were planning on going to Syria. The men were also recorded by the FBI making threats to kill President Barack Obama, bomb Coney Island, and attack security guards at airports.

Records show that Habibov set up a limited liability company in his name under the title iCell Fix & More LLC. The Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake, Virginia was the listed address. Traces of his work and registration in Philadelphia and cities such as Dover, Delaware and Jacksonville, Florida have been scarce.

Pennsylvania license and tax offices reported last week that they had no record of any business operated by Habibov, or of the LLC. Normally, Philadelphia asks individuals that apply for a tax status as an unincorporated business to provide an address and social security number. Race and gender are requested, but not required.

The arrest recalls similar investigations by the FBI and federal immigration agents of Florida-based mall kiosks in the months after the 9/11 attacks. Though roughly thirty individuals were charged with immigration violations during those operations, no terror-related charges were ever filed.

“Nobody knew what was going on then, either,” said Faruq Gadbani, a kiosk employee at the time.