1
1
1
Neighbors expressed shock by the news. Chafic Maalouf called Mehanna "very sweet (and) soft-spoken. He seemed so harmless. He has a beard and a dark complexion, so to the average American he fits the terrorist profile. But if you look in his eyes, he seemed to be a very genuine, kind, loving person," not a jihadist.
Paul McManus called him "everyday normal. When he was out walking, he was friendly (and) neighborly." Another supporter said the FBI is "painting the wrong picture of the Muslim community" by targeting one of its up and coming members. Still others cited his work with youths as a teacher at the Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland, MA.
Abdul Cader Asmal, the Center's former president, said he gave lectures at Friday services in Worchester, MA and translated poetic Arabic scriptures into English. Over time, he became dedicated to his beliefs as many people of all faiths do who plan no terrorist acts.
Ahmad AlFarsi defended Mehanna in a 2008 article following his previous arrest that's pertinent to his current charges. At first, he hesitated "so as not to expose (his) privacy," then felt he had to support his friend "since the media has already made his case and name public" and practically convicted him in the court of public opinion.
AlFarsi called him "one of the most gracious, kind, caring, thoughtful, and respectable people I have ever known....I have seen him go above above and beyond what most others would do to help others in need. Those who know him personally know exactly what I am talking about. I am sure any of his peers, Muslim or non-Muslim, would testify to his excellent character."
He's also been "very involved in the Muslim community. I remember many times that he would be giving halaqaat (Islamic lectures) in the local masjid (Muslim place of worship) on an Islamic text he was studying. And he helped many many other Muslims in the community come to the straight path....I'd also like to emphasize that he does not and never has supported nor been involved with terrorism, in any way whatsoever."
Consider "the implications of this incident: we have another (Muslim man, an American citizen) with no previous criminal record of any kind, being held without bail (for now) in his own country....Such a tactic serves only to smear Muslims, and brings pain and suffering to him, his family, and his future," and leaves all Muslims "fearful, marginalized, and unable to trust the authorities."
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) October 20 Affidavit
JTTF Special Agent Heidi L. Williams assisted in the investigation of Mehanna, Ahmad Abousamra, and others, and presented alleged evidence to establish probable cause, but said "classified national security information" would remain secret, unavailable to the defense, and therefore beyond its capability to disprove.
Williams claimed Mehanna's "Computer and its contents constitute evidence of the commission of a criminal offense, contraband, fruits of crime and things otherwise criminally possessed as well as property designed and intended for use, and that has been used, as a means of committing....criminal offense(s under US law)."
She also said "information set forth herein comes from two cooperating witnesses ('CW1' and 'CW2' - aka commonly used FBI informants to entrap). Both CWs provided information that was based on personal knowledge, including actions and statements by MEHANNA and ABOUSAMRA." Their trial testimony will show "corroborative evidence in the form of consensually recorded conversations" with defendants and others. "Further evidence is provided by Daniel Maldonado, who was a friend of MEHANNA and ABOUSAMRA, and is currently serving a 10 year prison sentence for Receiving Military-type Training from a Foreign Terrorist Organization (to wit: Al Qa' ida....)."
"Additional information was obtained from a review of records of governmental agencies, such as Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") and Department of State, Passport Office, as well as records of private entities, such as banks, airlines, telephone companies and internet service providers, and interviews of friends, relatives and acquaintances (of defendants)."
Williams cited more evidence from:
-- Mehanna's bedroom;
-- a computer hard drive;
-- "false information" he provided the JTTF with regard to his 2004 Yemen trip and knowledge of "Maldonado's circumstances at the time of the interview;"
