Former Biotech Director Charged with Obstruction of Justice Over Attempts to Acquire Neurotoxin Ricin

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts charged Ishtiaq Ali Saaem, 37, with obstruction of justice for lying about his attempts to acquire 100 castor bean packets in order to develop the bioterror poison ricin. The acquisition was not recent, as it took place on June 24, 2015.