CNN reports that in federal court in Brooklyn a jury has convicted Sheik Mohammed Ali Hasan al-Moayad, a cleric from Yemen, of conspiring to aid the terrorist groups al Qaeda and Hamas:
After a five-week trial and five days of deliberating, the jury found al-Moayad, 56, did conspire to provide material support and resources to the foreign terrorist organizations.
The jury also found that an assistant, Mohammed Mohsen Yahya Zayed, 31, from Yemen, was also guilty of the terrorism conspiracy.
According to CNN, during the trial an informant named Mohamed Alanssi testified that al-Moayad boasted about giving money, weapons and recruits to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden:
Alanssi said al-Moayad told him he personally delivered $20 million to bin Laden before the September 11 attacks and $3.5 million to Hamas.
Surveillance tapes played in court showed al-Moayad and the informants discussing funneling $2.5 million into the fight against America's "Zionist government."
Alanssi was to be the government's star witness until he set himself on fire outside the White House last November. Instead, he was called to testify by the defense.
Al-Moayad could be sentenced to 75 years in prison and his assistant faces up to 45 years. I hope they receive the maximun sentences. Drying up the funding for the evil doers is nearly as important as bringing the terrorists to justice. Congratulations and a hearty thanks to U.S. Attorney Roslynn Mauskopf, whose office prosecuted the case.
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