Witness: Al-Arian sought money for more attacks
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Sami Al-Arian wrote a letter to a Kuwaiti legislator a decade ago that called for “preserving the spirit and flame of jihad against the enemy,” and referred approvingly to a suicide bombing that killed 22 Israelis, according to testimony in the former professor’s trial on charges of supporting terrorism.
In the 1995 letter, which prosecutors read in court Monday, Al-Arian mentioned “the latest operation, carried out by the two mujahideen (holy warriors) who were martyred for the sake of God.”
FBI agent Kerry Myers, who from the witness stand has been introducing hundreds of intercepted letters, telephone calls and faxes, said the text was veiled in code and referred to a terror attack that had occurred 18 days before in Beit Lid, Israel.
Claiming responsibility for the attack was the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terrorist organization for which Al-Arian and three co-defendants are accused of providing material support. They say they are innocent and are being persecuted by the government for espousing unpopular beliefs.
Prosecutors said the letter, seized during a 1995 search of Al-Arian’s home, was a request for money to finance future attacks, with the former University of South Florida professor asking the legislator “to try to extend true support of the jihad effort in Palestine so that operations such as these can continue ...”
Al-Arian attorney William Moffitt said prosecutors failed to prove the letter was even mailed. He moved for a mistrial, but it was swiftly denied by U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Jr.
Al-Arian...is he guilty yet?
Thanks for the news jellyjam.
Good article.
And here's a refresher course:
"Clinton White House axed terror-fund probe "
http://prisonplanet.com/clinton_white_house_axed_terror_fund_probe.html