Trial Underway For Idaho [Saudi Arabian] Student Accused Of Supporting Terrorists

CBS 2 ^ | April 13, 2004 | Associated Press

[yonif]

BOISE - A jury of eight women and four men was seated this afternoon to hear the case against a University of Idaho student accused of using his computer skills to foster terrorism.

The 12 jurors and two female alternates were picked from a pool of 40 people after U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge questioned all of them about their knowledge of Islam, religious conflicts in the Middle East and Chechnya, their computer abilities and their personal feelings on terrorism.

He called those issues volatile and told the jury to keep an open mind during the six-week trial. Opening statements are set for tomorrow.

Thirty-four-year-old Sami Omar Al-Hussayen is charged with running Internet web sites that promoted the Palestinian militant group Hamas and other organizations advocating violence against the United States.

The Saudi national has been jailed ever since his arrest on the Moscow campus 14 months ago. He's continued to pursue his doctorate in computer studies since from his cell.

[yonif]

Supporting the murder of children. There are more like him in this country, have no doubt. Saudi Arabia is a terrorist state, and one of the main funders of terrorist related activities and propaganda around the world, including the US.

[yonif]

Meant to say "including IN the US."

[EggsAckley]

He's continued to pursue his doctorate in computer studies since from his cell.

Hmmmmmm..........

[CindyDawg]

A 34 y/o student?

[zoso82t]

The 12 jurors and two female alternates were picked from a pool of 40 people after U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge questioned all of them about their knowledge of Islam, religious conflicts in the Middle East and Chechnya, their computer abilities and their personal feelings on terrorism.

Which probably means they think:
1. Islam is the Religion of Peace
2. Poor Islamokazis are just misunderstood
3. AOL is the internet
4. We must deserve terrorism because we are the Great Satan

[Fishing-guy]

What are his charges?

[piasa]

Sami Omar Al-Hussayen (search) was charged with conspiracy to provide material support
to terrorism

[ZULU]

I think Mr. Al - Hussayan would be more properly handled by some of those boys up in the backwoods of Idaho than by a court of law.

Saudi Arabia is a terrorist state - actually the KING of all terrorist states as it is the primary fount of funds for these groups and prime supplier of manpower.

The Saud Family is a tribe of degenerate wastrels who lead sybaritic lives while supporting the austere lunatics of the Wahhabi movement to whom they owe their riches and power.

[dagnabbit]

I'm looking forward to John Kerry's courtroom appearance to vouch for the defendant's status as a "legitimate voice".

[Conservative4Ever]

He's continued to pursue his doctorate in computer studies since from his cell.

Does anyone else think this is just too absurd? I fear for our country.

Red

[Cindy]

UPDATED older link:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1054909/posts

[freeangel]

I can see his appeal now claiming that he was not judged by his "peers"--that would be 12 mulim terrorists who would dance, ululate, and hand out candies in court before blowing up the courthouse.

[esryle]

Saudi student on trial for using Web sites for terrorism
June 1 2004 Closing Aurguments Today
Boise, Idaho-AP -- A jury in Idaho is to hear closing arguments today in the trial of a Saudi Arabian student accused of using his Web sites to foster terrorism. Prosecutors allege Sami Omar Al-Hussayen turned Web sites of the Islamic Assembly of North America into an Internet network providing information to promote terrorism, particularly in the Middle East and Chechnya. The 34-year-old is just months from getting a doctorate in computer science at the University of Idaho. He's also accused of visa fraud and making false statements for allegedly trying to hide his association with the Michigan-based assembly. Defense lawyers have maintained that Al-Hussayen only volunteered his skills to keep the Web sites running, and passed on information about Muslim conflicts out of his concern for Islam.