Posted on 04/30/2010 1:45:09 PM PDT by Cindy
Note: The following text is a quote:
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges Two Brooklyn Men with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to al Qaeda
PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, GEORGE VENIZELOS, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), and RAYMOND W. KELLY, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York, announced the indictment of U.S. citizens WESAM EL-HANAFI and SABIRHAN HASANOFF for allegedly conspiring to provide material support, including computer advice and assistance, to al Qaeda.
EL-HANAFI and HASANOFF are expected to be presented before United States Magistrate Judge T. RAWLES JONES, JR., of the Eastern District of Virginia at 3:00 p.m. today. The case is assigned to United States District Judge KIMBA M. WOOD of the Southern District of New York, and the defendants are expected to appear in Manhattan federal court at a later date.
According to the Indictment unsealed today:
In February 2008, EL-HANAFI traveled to Yemen, where he met with two members of al Qaeda. While in Yemen, EL-HANAFI swore an oath of allegiance to al Qaeda, received instructions from al Qaeda on operational security measures, and received assignments to perform for al Qaeda. Three months later, in May 2008, EL-HANAFI met with another individual ("CC-1") in Brooklyn to discuss CC-1 also joining al Qaeda. HASANOFF—who had previously received $50,000 from CC-1—and EL-HANAFI had additional discussions with CC-1 about joining al Qaeda, and EL-HANAFI later accepted an oath of allegiance on behalf of al Qaeda from CC-1. During about the same time period, EL-HANAFI purchased a subscription for a software program that enabled him to communicate securely with others over the internet.
In June 2008, EL-HANAFI directed CC-1 to perform various tasks for al Qaeda. And at that time, HASANOFF instructed CC-1 not to use his U.S. passport when traveling because a U.S. passport with fewer immigration stamps would be more valuable to al Qaeda.
Additionally, in August 2008, HASANOFF traveled to New York City where he performed assignments for al Qaeda. The following year, in April 2009, EL-HANAFI purchased seven Casio digital watches over the internet on behalf of al Qaeda and had them delivered to his residence in Brooklyn, New York.
EL-HANAFI, 33, is a U.S. citizen who was born and lived in Brooklyn, New York. HASANOFF, 34, is a dual citizen of the United States and Australia, who also resided in Brooklyn, New York.
The defendants are each charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA said: "As alleged in the Indictment, Wesam El-Hanafi and Sabirhan Hasanoff conspired to modernize al Qaeda by providing computer systems expertise and other goods and services. El-Hanafi is also alleged to have traveled to Yemen to meet with al Qaeda members face-to-face. These two New Yorkers, who allegedly pledged allegiance to al Qaeda, will now be held to account for their actions. This case confirms our commitment to work with the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force to protect our citizens against the clear and present danger posed by terrorists and those who provide them material support."
FBI Special Agent-in-Charge GEORGE VENIZELOS stated: "The safety and security of everyone depends on the commitment of law enforcement and intelligence agencies everywhere. Here, two U.S. citizens are charged with conspiring to provide material support to al Qaeda, and with taking actions to that end. Given the global aims of this enemy of the rule of law, the work of the FBI and our partners on the Joint Terrorism Task Force is essential not just to the safety of New York, but internationally."
New York City Police Commissioner RAYMOND W. KELLY stated: "The case's nexus to New York City serves as another reminder that we remain vigilant to the possibility of supporters of al Qaeda returning to New York. This important Indictment was the result of the hard work and professionalism of the Federal prosecutors, FBI agents, and the NYPD detectives involved."
Mr. BHARARA praised the outstanding investigative work of the Joint Terrorism Task Force—which principally consists of agents and detectives of the FBI and the New York City Police Department. Mr. BHARARA thanked the Department of Justice's National Security Division and Office of International Affairs, and the Department of State for their assistance in this matter.
Mr. BHARARA added that the investigation is continuing.
This case is being handled by the Office's Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys BRENDAN R. McGUIRE, JOHN P. CRONAN, and AIMEE HECTOR are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
But hey, Bloomberg said he welcomes all the illegal aliens invading our Country....
“Two New Yorkers charged with plotting to aid Al Qaeda: officials”
BY ALISON GENDAR
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Originally Published:Friday, April 30th 2010, 1:52 PM
Updated: Friday, April 30th 2010, 2:27 PM
Al Qaeda is getting more support from the Whitey House than these two could have EVER provided!!!
Thanks Cindy.
You’re welcome SunkenCiv.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/aussie-on-ny-terror-charges/story-e6frf7jo-1225860909490
Last Updated: May 01, 2010
“Aussie on NY terror charges”
Carly Crawford in New York From: Herald Sun
May 01, 2010 10:59AM 3 comments
SNIPPET: “THE Australian man arrested as part of a growing al-Qaeda probe in New York is a devoted follower of fundamentalist Islam, sources say.
New York-based Sabirhan “Tareq” Hasanoff, who has both Australian and US citizenship, was one of two men charged with conspiring to provide material support al Qaeda in the US yesterday.
He is accused of lending the extremist network his computer expertise and handling huge sums of money for the group in New York.”
SNIPPET: “The tenant who occupies his townhouse in Flushing, Queens, described Hasanoff as a polite family man who, like his wife Wahida, is heavily into fundamentalist Islam.”
http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/April10/ehanafiandhasanoffindictmentpr.pdf
#
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/05/27/2010-05-27_mini_terror_cell_leader_charged.html
“Computer whiz Wesem El-Hanafi accused of forming ‘mini terror cell’ loyal to Al Qaeda chiefs”
BY ALISON GENDAR
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Thursday, May 27th 2010, 4:00 AM
SNIPPET: “A Brooklyn-born computer whiz was accused Wednesday of forming a “mini terror cell” loyal to Al Qaeda chiefs in Yemen and ordered locked up until his trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Cronan said Wesem El-Hanafi flew to Yemen in 2008 to meet with Al Qaeda officials. They covered him with a hood, and took him to a safehouse where he swore allegiance.
His first acts were to explain how they could encrypt their Internet communications, Cronan said. He returned to New York where he “basically formed his own mini terror cell.””
September 14, 2010
NOTE The following text is a quote:
newyork.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/nyfo091410a.htm
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Additional Charges Against Two U.S. Citizens Alleged to Have Provided Material Support to al Qaeda
PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that additional terrorism charges were filed against U.S. citizens WESAM EL-HANAFI and SABIRHAN HASANOFF in a Superseding Indictment for allegedly providing material support, including money and computer assistance, to al Qaeda. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge KIMBA M. WOOD, and the defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on the Superseding Indictment on September 16, 2010, at 10:30 a.m.
The original Indictment, which was unsealed on April 30, 2010, charged EL-HANAFI and HASANOFF with conspiring to provide material support to al Qaeda. The Superseding Indictment contains three additional charges, including providing material support to al Qaeda, and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in connection with their alleged support of al Qaeda.
According to the Superseding Indictment filed in Manhattan federal court today:
In February 2008, EL-HANAFI traveled to Yemen, where he met with two members of al Qaeda. While in Yemen, EL-HANAFI swore an oath of allegiance to al Qaeda, received instructions from al Qaeda on operational security measures, and received assignments to perform for al Qaeda.
Three months later, in May 2008, EL-HANAFI met with another individual (”CC-1”) in Brooklyn to discuss CC-1 also joining al Qaeda. HASANOFF—who had previously received $50,000 from CC-1—and EL HANAFI had additional discussions with CC-1 about joining al Qaeda. During about the same time period, EL-HANAFI purchased a subscription for a software program that enabled him to communicate securely with others over the Internet.
In June 2008, EL-HANAFI directed CC-1 to perform various tasks for al Qaeda. And at that time, HASANOFF instructed CC-1 not to use his U.S. passport when traveling because a U.S. passport with fewer immigration stamps would be more valuable to al Qaeda.
Additionally, in August 2008, HASANOFF traveled to New York City where he performed assignments for al Qaeda. The following year, in April 2009, EL-HANAFI purchased seven Casio digital watches over the Internet on behalf of al Qaeda and had them delivered to his residence in Brooklyn, New York.
EL-HANAFI, 33, is a U.S. citizen who was born and lived in Brooklyn, New York. HASANOFF, 34, is a dual citizen of the United States and Australia, who also resided in Brooklyn, New York.
If convicted on all counts, EL-HANAFI and HASANOFF each face a maximum sentence of 70 years in prison.
Mr. BHARARA praised the outstanding investigative work of the Joint Terrorism Task Force—which principally consists of agents and detectives of the FBI and the New York City Police Department. Mr. BHARARA thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and Office of International Affairs, and the Department of State for their assistance in this matter.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys BRENDAN R. McGUIRE, JOHN P. CRONAN, and AIMEE HECTOR are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“Prosecutors Defend Charges That Brooklyn-Born El-Hanafi Helped Al Qaeda”
August 12, 2011 10:32 PM
SNIPPET: “NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — A native New Yorker accused of conspiring to join al-Qaida and start a “mini” al Qaeda cell eagerly spoke to the FBI and shouldn’t have his statements suppressed, prosecutors said in papers submitted Friday to a judge who has been asked to toss out the charges.
Prosecutors in Manhattan defended conspiracy charges they brought last year against Wesam El-Hanafi. An indictment accuses the Brooklyn-born El-Hanafi of pledging loyalty to al Qaeda and helping teach the terror group how to evade detection on the Internet after he went to Yemen in February 2008.”
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