Friday, October 13, 2006

US Imam cops a plea in terrorism trial

A US imam pled guilty to aiding Hamas today at a trial which the agreement, charges and even the plea hearing were handled in secret.

The US Attorney's Office said Friday that the charges and plea agreement involving Mohamed Shorbagi were filed Aug. 28 in a federal court, but were sealed until Friday.

The US attorney's office did not have to invoke the Patriot Act in imposing secrecy on the proceedings - US District Judge Harold Murphy agreed to the seal.

Shorbagi agreed to a maximum 15 years in prison, prosecutors said,he prison time could be reduced if Shorbagi cooperates and drops a dime on his fellow jihadis as he is expected to do.

Between 1997 and 2001, Shorbagi provided financial and material support to Hamas and made donations through the terrorist front Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development.

Shorbagi shilled for the Hamas front in Georgia, and admitted knowing money provided to the foundation was actually funneled to Hamas.

Shorbagi is a Palestinian citizen ( and probably a Jordanian citizen as well, as are all West Bank Palestinians) but is in the United States legally.

When he gets out of jail, hopefully that mistake can be addressed.

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