al-Timimi!
Posted on 07/13/2005 9:26:52 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A prominent U.S.-based Islamic scholar who exhorted his followers after the Sept. 11 attacks to join the Taliban and fight U.S. troops was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.
Ali al-Timimi of Fairfax was convicted in April of soliciting others to levy war against the United States, inducing others to aid the Taliban, and inducing others to use firearms in violation of federal law. The cleric addressed the court for 10 minutes before his sentencing.
"I will not admit guilt nor seek the court's mercy. I do this simply because I am innocent," al-Timimi said.
Prosecutors said the defendant, a native U.S. citizen who has an international following in some Muslim circles, wielded enormous influence among a group of young Muslim men in northern Virginia who played paintball games in 2000 and 2001. Authorities said they were a "Virginia jihad network" training for holy war around the globe.
Nine members of the group have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy, with prison terms ranging from three years to life.
Al-Timimi's lawyers argued that their client merely suggested that Muslims may want to leave the United States after Sept. 11 because of the potential for a backlash against them.
But he was accused of telling a group of young Muslim men just days after the attack that an apocalyptic battle between Muslims and nonbelievers was at hand and that Muslims were obligated to engage in holy war. He told the group that defense of the Taliban was a requirement and that U.S. troops were a legitimate target, according to court testimony.
Several of the men who heard Al-Timimi's speech traveled days later to Pakistan and began training with a militant Islamic group called Lashkar-e-Taiba, officials said. Some testified that their goal was to obtain training that would allow them to fight alongside the Taliban, though none actually made it to Afghanistan.
One down.....a billion (give or take) to go
Stick him in the general population.
LOL! They could have made it if they had wanted to. However, they saw how badly their vaunted Taliban was getting their asses kicked and decided that they would sit this one out.
Stick him in solitary. Forever.
Probably a significant chunk of his congregation were former guests of the state of VA.
Allahu fubar!
and ward churchill gets off scot free?
So what's that really mean? Seven and a half and you're out?
I don't know about a billion, but we may have tens of millions with whom to deal.
What does scholar mean in this article? It gives no clue.
al-Timimi!
Explain to the world that we have opened a think tank for the study of Islam and these distinguished scholars have been allowed to join the 'staff' at al-Gitmo.
Yes, you're likely right. But we can always hope that he'll end up having his butt impacted by some who were pernally touched by a loss on 9-11.
U.S.-Based Islamic Scholar Gets Life for Encouraging Followers to Fight After Sept. 11 Attacks
Published: Jul 13, 2005 ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A prominent Islamic scholar who exhorted his followers after the Sept. 11 attacks to join the Taliban and fight U.S. troops was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.
Ali al-Timimi of Fairfax was convicted in April of soliciting others to levy war against the United States, inducing others to aid the Taliban, and inducing others to use firearms in violation of federal law.
The cleric addressed the court for 10 minutes before his sentencing.
"I will not admit guilt nor seek the court's mercy. I do this simply because I am innocent," al-Timimi said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Kromberg said al-Timimi "hates the United States" and has called for its destruction.
"He's allowed to do that in this country," Kromberg said. "He's not allowed to solicit treason. He deserves every day he gets."
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema said the evidence supported the mandatory life sentence. The judge had earlier left open the possibility that she would toss out some of the counts.
About 50 supporters were in court for al-Timimi, who waved to his wife as he was escorted from court. She declined to comment.
Prosecutors portrayed al-Timimi, a native U.S. citizen, has having "rock star" status among his followers, who frequently heard his lectures at a small mosque in Falls Church.
In particular, prosecutors said, the defendant wielded enormous influence among a group of young Muslim men in northern Virginia who played paintball games in 2000 and 2001. Authorities said they were a "Virginia jihad network" training for holy war around the globe.
Nine members of the group have been convicted for their roles in the conspiracy, with prison terms ranging from three years to life.
Al-Timimi's lawyers argued that their client merely suggested that Muslims may want to leave the United States after Sept. 11 because of the potential for a backlash against them.
But he was accused of telling a group of young Muslim men just days after the attack that an apocalyptic battle between Muslims and nonbelievers was at hand and that Muslims were obligated to engage in holy war. He told the group that defense of the Taliban was a requirement and that U.S. troops were a legitimate target, according to court testimony.
Several of the men who heard Al-Timimi's speech traveled days later to Pakistan and began training with a militant Islamic group called Lashkar-e-Taiba, officials said. Some testified that their goal was to obtain training that would allow them to fight alongside the Taliban, though none actually made it to Afghanistan.
AP-ES-07-13-05 1222EDT
"Stick him in the general population."
Absolutely. He won't last long, and for the time he'd be there, he'd be miserable... just what he deserves.
In reality, they'll put him somewhere nice, and he'll be paroled in 7 years. I never did figure out how life translated to 7 years.
Arayn Brotherhood is going to love this guy (literally)
Ref http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=scholar and http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=scholar and http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=terrorist and http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=terrorist
First they came for the “honor students,” then they came for the “scholars.”
;-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.