This time is different for Yemini Sheik Mohammed Ali Hassan Al-Moayad and his assistant Mohammed Mohsen Yahya Zayed. On October 2, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously reversed their unjustifiable convictions. More on that below.
On March 10, 2005, both men were convicted on multiple charges of conspiring to and providing "material support" for Al Queda and Hamas and became victims of the Bush administration's "war on terrorism" and Jihad against Islam. On August 2 and September 1, they received 75 and 45 year sentences respectively.
The charges were outrageous on their face and followed similar type persecutions of other Muslim figures like Sami Al-Arian, Rafil Dhafir, Yassin Aref, Seyed Mousavi, and many more. Innocent men unjustly convicted in kangaroo court proceedings. Often because of their prominence, leadership positions, and affiliations with Islamic organizations. Charity initiatives to others less fortunate. Efforts to promote unity among all faiths. Teach others about Islam, and work for social progress, peace and against war. As a result, be charged with "terrorism," tried, and become victims of police state justice in a climate of fear.
Both Yemeni clerics were targeted for their faith, ethnicity, activism, prominence and notable charitable efforts. Germany unjustifiably extradited them to the US to be prosecuted for their entirely legal activities. With testimony from a notoriously unreliable informant. Paid $100,000 by the FBI for his services. Then pressuring the agency for more.
At trial, the prosecution repeatedly attempted to prejudice the jury. Scare them with allegations about a Koranic verse being a "terrorist" one. A Palestinian-born attorney posing an "increased risk" because her "foreign born" status. Using this accusation to keep her off the case at first. Doing everything possible to convict two innocent men and claim a victory in "the war on terrorism."
Arrest and Charges
On January 10, 2003, both clerics were arrested In Germany with the help of FBI informant Mohamed Al- Anssi. A man with a dubious history of theft, burglary and defrauding Islamic organizations and charities. Stealing their property. Running up phone bills. Using public, private individual, and mosque services for his own benefit. Then in November 2004, pressuring the FBI for more money by setting himself ablaze in front of the White House.
Al-Anssi was an out-of-status immigrant fearing deportation. To avoid it, he contacted an FBI Terrorism Task Force agent. One eager to produce results by reeling in suspects. Islamic ones in a climate of fear. That juries would convict. Al-Anssi offered to help. With no substantiating evidence, he claimed that Sheik Al-Moayad supported Al Queda, mujahideen Islamic fighters, and even North Korea.
A month later, the FBI sent him to Yemen to target Al-Moayad even though his own government knew and approved of his activities. Their legitimacy having nothing to do with "terrorism." Over the next year, Al-Anssi and Yemeni-based FBI agents produced scant "evidence," none of which was incriminating:
-- three Palestinian charity donation receipts; ones not to designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs); and
-- a 30-minute video of a five-day Yemeni group wedding at which a Hamas representative to Yemen spoke.
Based on this alone, Al-Moayad and Zayad were to be charged with conspiring to and providing material support for Al Queda and Hamas. An entrapment scheme then followed in Germany. An Agent "Sharif" became involved, posing as a former Black Panther supportive of "Jihadist causes." The "civil rights movement" among them, according to an FBI agent BM.
A sting was arranged as follows. Agent "Sharif" instructed Al-Anssi to tell Al-Moayad and Zayad that he wished to donate $2 million for their work, and conversations were secretly videotaped. When the clerics learned it was for another purpose, they disapproved. "Sharif" then said: "I know what you're here for and I will give you what you want if you give me what I want." Both clerics still objected and wished only for funding help to build their charitable center. "Sharif" claimed conversations with him were about funneling it to Hamas. Based only on his word. Masked officers arrested both clerics three days after they arrived in Germany.
They were held for six months. Indicted on March 4, 2003. Extradited to the US in November. At a Senate hearing, Attorney General John Ashcroft called them "big fish." Claimed that they funneled millions of dollars to Al Queda and Hamas, and that Al-Moayad boasted of personally delivering $29 million to bin Laden.
The charges were concocted and false. Evidence showed both clerics supported Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. Others in refugee camps in other Arab countries. Also that they knew Hamas members throughout the Arab world, in Africa, and in some European states. Entirely legitimate activities in Yemen and Germany unrelated to "terrorism." Not according to the FBI and John Ashcroft even though both men never raised funds in America or broke US laws.
I am a 72 year old, retired, progressive small businessman concerned about all the major national and world issues, committed to speak out and write about them.
My hats off to you, Stephen! You really are one of a kind in the US. As far as the US is concerned, the less I say the better because Big Bro is always watching and listening and renditioning. Big Bro is not new to the US. Big Bro has always been there throughout US History. Thank God there is so little of history to be proud of! One day the Pilgrims were prostrating to God in Manhattan, the next day they were killing Injuns. One day they were preaching Christianity in Africa, the next day they were taking slaves. One day they were trading with China, the next day they were bombarding Peking from their gun boats. One day they were paying Saddam to fight their revenge war against Iran, the next day they were starving Iraqi children and bombing the sh*t out of his nation. One day they were helping OBL establish his Al Qaeda, the next day they were decimating them. Like the British before them the American's commit the most heinous crimes on some PRINCIPLE, real or imaginary which seemingly pacifies their "conscience" and since there us not much of conscience there in the first place, they numb whatever little there is by oft repeated lies, canard and if this does not work then by FEAR mongering. Fear of the niggers where there never was cause for such fear justified KKK. Likewise, fear of Injuns justified Wounded Knee. Now, fear of Islam, Islamic terrorism, Islamic Caliphate and the minimum one a day fart of 1.3 billion Muslims are numbing the conscience of Americans. All for a Cause! Never the Real Cause. Niggers ran the Cotton Farming-Real Cause! Injun Lands were required for the Railroads and Gold Mining-Real Causes. Crude Oil & Gas and their pipelines in Arab/Muslim lands-Real Cause.
by
syed mahdi (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 49 comments)
on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 11:13:41 AM
Those are very interesting comments you've made here Syed.... I join you in praising Stephen Lendman for writing this fine article and bringing people's attention to the dirty deeds of those who are in power in our government. However, I would submit to you that our country is really full of many people like Stephen who want no part in the US Government's latest crusade or jihad against those who practice the Islamic faith. Of course that does not excuse the actions of our government, but just as my government seems to promote a vision that Islam is not compatible with Christianity or Judaism or other faiths by brainwashing the American people into thinking that muslims are somehow fundamentally different human beings from others, so it seems perhaps that you believe that most Americans are blood-thirsty perpetrators of injustice. The truth of the matter is that we are all God's children. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and on and on and on and we must not let those in positions of power brainwash us into thinking otherwise.
by
Kris Malmquist (9 articles, 0 quicklinks, 39 diaries, 107 comments)
on Friday, October 10, 2008 at 5:09:38 AM
2 comments
How would you rate this?
You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings.
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
Must Read (
Well Said (
News (
Touching (
Funny (
Supported (
Interesting (
Inspiring (
Valuable (
