Authorities say two Detroit area [Arab] men sent thousands to Hezbollah

mLive ^ | 4/17/04 | Associated Press

[yonif]

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) -- Two Detroit area men suspected of links to Hezbollah sent thousands of dollars to buy military equipment for the group, according to an FBI affidavit.

The affidavit, made public Friday, links two government investigations of alleged funding of the group by the men.

In the May 2003 affidavit, FBI Special Agent Timothy Waters said that Mohammed Krayem, who spent time in Canada and Michigan, "sent approximately $200,000 (Canadian) to his brother." The money was used to "purchase military equipment from United Nations Protection Forces stationed in southern Lebanon," The Detroit News, in a Sunday story, quoted the affidavit as saying.

Krayem was one of 13 people indicted September for allegedly smuggling cigarettes from North Carolina to Michigan. He is believed to be in Lebanon.

Also linked in the case is Mahmoud Youssef Kourani of Dearborn. He was indicted in November on conspiracy to provide material support or resources to Hezbollah.

While the United States has branded the group a terrorist organization, it is viewed in the Arab world as a legitimate political force in Lebanon that resisted the Israeli occupation of the country.

The FBI said Kourani told a confidential informant about Krayem's alleged support for the group and that he sent $40,000 to his brother, Haider Kourani. Officials say he also sold a home in Detroit and funneled the proceeds from the sale to the group.

Kourani told the FBI that his brother is Hezbollah's chief of military security for southern Lebanon, the government said.

Kourani got a visa to travel to Mexico by bribing an official in the Mexican consulate in Beirut. He then surreptitiously entered the United States from Mexico in the trunk of a car on Feb. 4, 2001, officials said.

Kourani, 32, was charged last May with harboring an illegal immigrant. After pleading guilty, he served six months in federal prison and is awaiting deportation. He has denied that he supports Hezbollah.

Waters' affidavit was filed in order for the FBI to secure a search warrant on Kourani's Dearborn home. The government said the search turned up audiotapes that praised the group.

A lawyer for Kourani, William Swor, said Friday he had not read the affidavit and declined comment, as did Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Chadwell, who is handling both cases in Detroit.

[miltonim]

moderates

[miltonim]

He then surreptitiously entered the United States from Mexico in the trunk of a car on Feb. 4, 2001, officials said.

[dagnabbit]

Kourani got a visa to travel to Mexico by bribing an official in the Mexican consulate in Beirut. He then surreptitiously entered the United States from Mexico in the trunk of a car on Feb. 4, 2001, officials said.

Our unsecured southern flank in action again.

[Walkingfeather]

NOW why would they need to smuggle cigarettes? hmmmm
lets see. OH YEAH because the gubment decided to go into the racketeering biznis and demanded the VIG. Congrats you have just created a new revenue stream in the black market. Why all those honest Muslims will certainly turn in their brothers when they try to sell un taxed cigarettes in their liquer stores and 711s

[yonif]

Kourani got a visa to travel to Mexico by bribing an official in the Mexican consulate in Beirut. He then surreptitiously entered the United States from Mexico in the trunk of a car on Feb. 4, 2001, officials said.

Ping.

[Highest Authority]

"purchase military equipment from United Nations Protection Forces stationed in southern Lebanon," ......... Am I wrong, or is there something of a problem with this transaction? It looks like Coffee Anus and his terrorist organization (the u.n.) is at it again!

[angkor]

While the United States has branded the group a terrorist organization, it is viewed in the Arab world as a legitimate political force

In the AP's world of moral relativism, the sentence above makes it seem as if Hezbollah is just another bunch of freedom fighters.

The reason we've "branded" Hezbollah as terrorists (AP might just as easily have said "tainted" or "unreasonably slandered") is due to their kidnappings; the truck bombing against Marines in Beruit; plane hijackings; and other hijinks.

[joesnuffy]

The 'news commies' just love their fellow travelers...'violent terrorists' are the media's 'freedom fighters' if they are fighting the 'news commies' enemies for them......

[Missouri]

Bumping

[B4Ranch]

Dear President Bush,

Your friends in Mexico have been lieing to you, or did you already know that?

"Kourani got a visa to travel to Mexico by bribing an official in the Mexican consulate in Beirut. He then surreptitiously entered the United States from Mexico in the trunk of a car on Feb. 4, 2001, officials said."

[monkeywrench]

We do the bulk of their funding!

[SandRat]

Too bad they can't be hung for treason.

[Missouri]

Your friends in Mexico have been lying to you, or did you already know that?

Its hard to tell whats rolling around inside President Bush's head. According to him, "Islam" is a religion of peace and the Mexicans just come here to do jobs Americans won't do. His compassion may do us all in.

[Missouri]

I'd shoot the S.O.B.s !!