Author: Reuters
Publication: Yahoo News
Date: January 9, 2004
URL: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040110/us_nm/security_saudi_idaho_dc_1
Close to a year after his arrest,
a university computer science student from Saudi Arabia studying in Idaho
was charged on Friday with supporting terrorism.
Sami Omar Al-Hussayen, a Saudi citizen
who has been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 26, will be arraigned
on Monday in U.S. District Court in Boise. If convicted, he could receive
15 years in federal prison.
A grand jury, a group of citizens
which hears arguments from prosecutors, issued the charge. The indictment
said Al-Hussayen, 34, set up Web sites for Islamic organizations that espoused
violence against the United States and that he tried to raise funds and
recruit new members for a violent holy war, or jihad, in Israel, Chechnya
(news - web sites) and elsewhere.
The indictment contends Al-Hussayen
maintained bank accounts which he used to funnel at least $300,000 to the
Islamic Assembly of North America. The government claims the group has
raised and sent money to support terrorist-related activities starting
in February 2000.
In previous hearings, defense attorneys
said there was no evidence Al- Hussayen did anything other than give money
to legitimate charities and do some basic Web site maintenance for Islamic
organizations.
Friends, supporters, colleagues,
and university officials have testified Al- Hussayen is a peaceful person
who condemned the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and led a blood drive
for victims. They said he has a strong desire to clear his name and finish
his studies.
Al-Hussayen, 34, got his undergraduate
degree before coming to the United States. He had been a student at various
universities in the United States for more than nine years. Most recently,
he has been seeking a PhD in computer security at the University of Idaho.
Al-Hussayen's wife and children
have agreed to leave the United States by mid-March, after the Bureau of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement started deportation proceedings against
them.
