British man indicted on terrorism charges over Internet sites

Cnews ^ | July 19, 2006 | Cnews (no author divuled)

[Bald Eagle777]

"A British man was indicted Wednesday on charges he helped run terrorism fundraising websites, set up terrorists with temporary housing in England and possessed a classified U.S. navy document revealing troop movements.

Syed Talha Ahsan, 26, was arrested at his home in London on a federal indictment in Connecticut charging him with conspiracy to support terrorists and conspiracy to kill or injure people abroad...."

[Bald Eagle777]

Busted.

[Continental Soldier]

"Syed Talha Ahsan" Does anybody see a potential profile here? Or is 'head-in-the-sand still the order of the day?

[Cindy]

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Documents/Judgments/abu-hamza-summary-05102012.pdf

SNIPPET: “Babar Ahmad

9. Babar Ahmad was arrested in London on 5 August 2004. The case against Babar Ahmad is that through websites operated from the UK and a mirror website in the US and by extensive e-mail correspondence, he solicited funds

Page 3

for terrorism for the Taliban and other Mujahideen. A material part of that effort was directed at the United States. The most serious allegation is communication with an enlistee in the US Navy when on patrol, his encouragement of that person and the possession of details of the vulnerability of a US battle formation in the Straits of Hormuz; the allegation is to the effect that the enlistee was encouraged to betray his fellow crew members and his country.

10. The CPS declined in 2004 to prosecute on the basis that there was insufficient evidence in the UK for a successful prosecution. He was charged in the United States. On 17 May 2005 the Senior District Judge ruled that his extradition could proceed. On 15 November 2005 Babar Ahmad’s extradition was ordered. Babar Ahmad’s appeal to the High Court was rejected on 30 November 2006. On 6 June 2007 the House of Lords refused permission to appeal.

Talha Ahsan

11. Talha Ahsan’s extradition was requested on 15 September 2006. The case against him is similar to that against Babar Ahmad. The Senior District Judge ruled on 19 March 2007 that his extradition could proceed. The Secretary of State then ordered his extradition on 14 June 2007. His appeal was refused by the High Court on 14 April 2008, and a month later that court refused leave to appeal to the House of Lords.”

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19855380

6 October 2012 Last updated at 04:16 ET

“Abu Hamza due in US court following extradition”

SNIPPET: “Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza is due to appear in court in New York to face terrorism charges.

He is one of five men who left the UK on two flights, hours after the High Court rejected their final appeals.

It has been confirmed Babar Ahmad and Talha Ahsan have landed in the US. They will appear before a judge in Connecticut in connection with the alleged running of a pro-jihad website.

The home secretary said the extradition process had been too “lengthy”.

On Friday, UK judges ruled the five men - Abu Hamza, Mr Ahmad, Mr Ahsan, Adel Abdul Bary and Khaled al-Fawwaz - did not show “new and compelling” reasons to stay in the UK.””

[Cindy]

NOTE The following text is a quote:

www.fbi.gov/newhaven/press-releases/2012/two-extradited-british-nationals-to-appear-in-new-haven-federal-court-to-face-terrorism-related-charges

Two Extradited British Nationals to Appear in New Haven Federal Court to Face Terrorism-Related Charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office
October 06, 2012

District of Connecticut

NEW HAVEN, CT—David B. Fein, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton, and Special Agent in Charge Kimberly K. Mertz of the New Haven Division of the FBI announce that Babar Ahmad and Syed Talha Ahsan are scheduled to appear at 8:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven, Connecticut.

Ahmad, 38, and Ahsan, 33, both British citizens, are charged with terrorism-related offenses stemming from their involvement in and operation of “Azzam Publications,” an entity in London that allegedly provided material support to the Chechen Muhjahideen, the Taliban, and associated terrorist groups. Both defendants were extradited from the United Kingdom and arrived in the United States earlier today.

On October 6, 2004, a federal grand jury sitting in Bridgeport, Connecticut returned an indictment charging Ahmad with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, providing material support to terrorists, conspiring to kill persons in a foreign country, and money laundering. On June 28, 2006, a Bridgeport grand jury returned an indictment charging Ahsan with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, providing material support to terrorists, and conspiring to kill persons in a foreign country. Ahmad and Ahsan have been detained since their arrests by British law enforcement authorities on August 5, 2004, and July 19, 2006, respectively.

The indictments allege that Ahmad and Ahsan were members of a group that supported the Chechen Muhjahideen, the Taliban, and associated terrorist groups through various means, including the operation of a series of websites under the name of “Azzam Publications,” which promoted violent jihad and featured jihadi training manuals, interviews with al Qaeda and Chechen leaders and associates, and stories and martyrdom videos of fallen jihadists. The indictments allege that the defendants assisted the Taliban and the Chechen Mujahideen by providing funds, military items, communications equipment, lodging, training, safe houses, expert advice and assistance, personnel, transportation, false documentation and identification, and other supplies, knowing and intending that such conduct would support the military activities of these and associated groups.

Among other things, the indictments allege that Ahmad made efforts to secure GPS devices, Kevlar helmets, night vision goggles, ballistic vests, and camouflage uniforms. In addition, Ahmad and Ahsan are alleged to have recruited and arranged for individuals to travel to Afghanistan to train for violent jihad.

The indictments further allege that a search of Ahmad’s residence in the United Kingdom in December 2003 revealed Ahmad in possession of an electronic document setting forth what were previously classified plans regarding the makeup, advance movements, and mission of a U.S. Naval battle group as it was to transit from California to its deployment in the Middle East. The document discussed the battle group’s perceived vulnerability to terrorist attack. Ahsan is alleged to have possessed, accessed, and modified the electronic battle group document in April 2001.

“This has been a lengthy process, but the government’s commitment to presenting this case to a jury during a fair and open trial has never wavered,” said U.S. Attorney Fein. “The allegations contained in the indictments, which include promotion of terrorism and conspiracy to murder persons living abroad, are as serious today as when they were initially charged. I commend Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and the many other law enforcement agencies here and in the U.K. for investigating this matter. I also want to acknowledge the DHS, FBI, and DOJ Attaches at the U.S. Embassy in London and the attorneys and staff at the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, who have seamlessly coordinated with us during this extradition process.”

“Homeland Security Investigations continues to use every available resource to protect the American public from those who would compromise our national security through terrorism,” said ICE Director Morton. “This extradition demonstrates law enforcement’s resolve to bring to justice anyone who supports those who would target American interests at home or abroad. As a result of HSI’s extraordinary cooperation with our British partners, Ahmad and Ahsan will now face justice for their alleged crimes in a U.S. courtroom.”

“Today, more than at any other time in U.S. history, terrorism investigations involve the identification, disruption, and dismantling of material and financial support systems,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Mertz. “Without those support systems, terrorists and terrorist groups simply cannot survive. This investigation underscores Homeland Security Investigations’ and the FBI’s enduring commitment to combating terrorism by uprooting these global and often complex support networks.”

If convicted of the charges, Ahmad and Ahsan face maximum terms of imprisonment of life.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by a task force in Connecticut consisting of special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, law enforcement agents from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, the IRS-CI Electronic Crimes Program, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

U.S. Attorney Fein also praised the substantial efforts of law enforcement authorities from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Anti-Terrorist Branch and the Extradition and International Assistance Unit, both within New Scotland Yard, whose efforts and assistance have been essential in the investigation in this case. U.S. Attorney Fein also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service for its assistance in the extradition of the defendants.

The case is being prosecuted by a team of federal prosecutors, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Reynolds from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and Attorneys Sharon Lever and Alexis Collins from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington.