Case Analysis: Use of Electronic Surveillance
Electronic surveillance entails the use of a variety of devices like the CCTVs, cameras, and electronic means to monitor a home, a business, or an individual. There have been many cases of suspected terrorist activities that have been solved with the use of electronic surveillance. The defendants were either captured on cameras or their conversations were tracked with the use of PRISM, which is National Security Agency mass surveillance programme used for such cases. The paper focuses on Fazliddin Kurbanov’s litigation, a man from Uzbekistan who came into the U.S. as a refugee. He was convicted for twenty-five years in prison due to suspected terrorist activities that were proved in court with the use of PRISM.
Kurbanov came into the U.S. as a Christian who had been converted into the Islamic religion. However, he was placed under FBI surveillance three years after moving to the U.S. due to his emails and internet chats. They were obtained by the government and were considered dangerous. From his emails and chats, Kurbanov was disgusted by the way the Americans were burning the Qurans and a particular report of an American soldier who tried to rape a Muslim girl. The FBI assigned some informants to go live and spy Kurbanov in his home and place of work. He was later arrested and charged with conspiracy with the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and possession of bomb-making materials. During his trial, he was notified that his conversation with Islamic Movement associate based in Pakistan, had been intercepted, thus his conviction.
In my opinion, the use of electronic surveillance of U.S. citizens without court orders in cases of suspected terrorist activities is the best way as it helps the courts have access to real proof of the crime. For instance, in cases where the act was caught on camera, it provides tangible evidence of the case. It also helps the government to prevent terrorist attacks as they can intervene before anything serious happens, like in the case of Kurbanov.