« US: Black Muslim Heir Bailed |
| Thailand: Mosque Leader One of Two Muslims Shot »
December 7, 2005
US: Jury Clears Suspected Islamist Professor of Some Terror Charges
We reported earlier that the 12 jurors in the trial of Kuwaiti-born US resident, Sami al-Arian (pictured), were sent away to consider their verdicts. Now they have returned, and their verdicts are unlikely to please the US government.
The trial started on June 6, and has continued for six months. Dr Sami al-Arian was formerly professor at the University in South Florida. He stood accused with three Palestinians, Sameeh Hammoudeh, Hatem Fariz and Ghassan Ballut, of a number of charges, mostly to do with fundraising and financing for the Palestinian terror group, Islamic Jihad.
The jury acquitted al-Arian of conspiracy to murder and maim, and of several charges of providing material support to a terrorist group. He was also acquitted of obstruction of justice.
The jury could not decide on nine other counts, and al-Arian will have to be retried. Retained in custody since his arrest in February, 2003, he will remain in custody.
Some of the key counts against al-Arian about which the jury remained undecided were
racketeering conspiracy, money laundering, conspiracy to provide material support, and conspiracy to make and receive contributions of funds, goods or services to terrorists.Co-defendants Sameeh Hammoudeh and Ghassan Ballut were cleared of all counts against them, while Hatem Fariz was acquitted of some charges. The men could have faced life in prison if convicted of all the charges.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at December 7, 2005 12:08 AM
Comments
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)