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Christopher Bollyn |
ast summer, I was surprised to learn that two
local people who had befriended us were actually FBI informants who
had been tasked to monitor my family. For this reason we feel
vulnerable in our home and are reluctant to spend time here.
This summer, however, we were compelled to return to our modest
suburban tract house in Hoffman Estates, Illinois (outside of
Chicago) that has been the family home since 1957 because our
travel-weary children missed their beloved home so badly.
Since returning in July, I have noticed an unusual amount of police
activity around my house, which lies on a quiet side street where
one normally sees a police cruiser once or twice a week.
On Aug. 14, as I rode my bike to the store, I noticed a most unusual
vehicle approaching my house. It was an unmarked car with three
well-armed men wearing body armor. It looked like the kind of car
that one might expect to see in occupied Baghdad.
The next evening, I happened to step outside at the precise moment
the same car slowly passed in front of my house where the
neighborhood kids were playing.
Surprised by this coincidence, I yelled from my porch, “Hello, FBI,”
and waved.
The man sitting in the front passenger seat waved back. Alarmed, I
immediately alerted my wife and kids. My wife suggested I ask the
non-uniformed agents about what they are doing in our neighborhood.
I had had a busy work day having made several phone calls to the
Israeli Embassy, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
office of the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Most of my calls were related to ongoing 9-11 research.
One of the more interesting calls was to a Mr. Shalom Yoran, a New
York-based former officer in the Israeli air force who happens to be
the former president of Bedek, the parent company of Israel Aircraft
Industries. Because he managed a private aircraft leasing company
that ceased to operate shortly after 9-11, I am interested in his
opinion about what happened on that day.
As I rode my bike to the store, I became increasingly troubled about
the dark car with armed agents I had seen passing in front of my
house. Because my neighborhood does not have any crime or gang
problems, I found it very odd that the undercover quasi-military
squad should be patrolling around my house day after day.
Concerned about the safety of my family, I called 911 to report that
a suspicious car with armed men, who I thought to be federal agents,
was loitering in my neighborhood for no apparent reason. I was told
that a police officer would meet me at my house in 20 minutes.
Minutes after I reached my home, I was surprised to see the very
same suspicious car stop in front of my house and three armed and
armor-clad men standing on my driveway.
With my wife and 8-year old daughter beside me, I went into my yard
and asked the men who they were and why they were loitering around
my house.
“Why are you driving around with this gear and unmarked car menacing
our neighborhood,” I asked? “Who are you?”
The non-uniformed agents were unwilling to identify themselves or to
address my concerns and maintained a hostile and confrontational
attitude throughout.
Seeking the support of my brother, I turned to my house when the
three men tackled me and used a Taser gun to shock me into
submission.
After violently subduing me, one officer knelt on my head and
another on my arm, as I was handcuffed.
Within two minutes, at least a half-dozen police cars, two fire
trucks, and 15 police officers, including a senior officer, had
arrived at the Bollyn residence.
While I was being held down, my wife went to get a camera. An
officer told her that she would be arrested if she dared to take any
photos. However, according to a lawyer, it is illegal to prevent
someone from photographing a police assault.
Having witnessed her father being violently arrested, my 8-year-old
daughter was very distraught and crying. The police ordered my wife
to take her away.
