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Posted on 06/10/2002 12:37:20 PM PDT by HAL9000
A government expert on terrorism testified this morning that two Lebanese brothers accused of aiding Middle Eastern extremists were members of a Hezbollah support cell in Charlotte."It couldn't be more clear. This is a Hezbollah cell...engaging in criminal activity to support Hezbollah.," said Matthew Levitt, a former FBI counterintelligence expert.
Levitt also identified Mohamad Youssef Hammoud, one of the brothers on trial, as the cell's leader. Levitt said he reached his opinion after reviewing prosecution evidence, which included seized anti-American and anti-Israeli videos, books and pamphlets as well as wiretaps conducted by the FBI and Canadian intelligence.
Levitt described some of the seized materials as "radical literature" that was anti-American.
Prosecutors also showed jurors a photograph of Mohamad Hammoud. In the background were pictures of the Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran's deceased leader; Hasan Nasserallah, Hezbollah's general secretary; and Shaykh Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah, Hezbollah's spiritual leader.
Levitt said the members of the Charlotte cell were sending money to the military commander of Hezbollah. "They were clearly sending money to people involved in terrorist operations," he said.
During cross-examination, defense lawyer Deke Falls told Levitt that Fadlallah has a Web page with his phone and fax numbers and an email address.
Levitt responded: "The White House has that too, but I don't think you can call the president direct."
Levitt is an expert on terrorism in the Middle East and works at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. The defnese lawyers, during cross-examination, sought to portray the institute as pro-Israel.
Hammoud and his brother, Chawki Youssef Hammoud, are accused of aiding Hezbollah, the Lebanese nationalistic group the U.S. government has labeled a terrorist organization.
Authorities believe the Hammouds were part of a cell that smuggled cigarettes and committed other crimes, then sent some of the proceeds to Hezbollah.
If convicted, Mohamad Hammoud faces as much as 30 years to life in prison. Chawki Hammoud faces up to 14 years.
Why are these people in America?
More prosecutions are needed.
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What a joke.
Please Freepmail me if:
1) You want to be added to my North Carolina ping-list.
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D'oh!!
Not enough.
Hang him.
Enough said.
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