| The brother-in-law of Sami Al-Arian was indicted Tuesday in the terrorism financing case against the former University of South Florida professor. Mazen Al-Najjar, a Palestinian, was deported from the United States in August 2002 and is believed to be in Lebanon. Besides facing racketeering and conspiracy charges, Al-Najjar was specifically charged with perjury for denying to an immigration court judge that he was a member of the Islamic Jihad, knew other members or provided the group with financial support. The U.S. Attorney's office declined comment. Al-Najjar was named as an unindicted co-conspirator when Al-Arian and eight others were indicted in 2003. Prosecutors allege the men used an Islamic charity and academic think tank at the university as fund-raising covers for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Al-Arian and three others are scheduled for trial in January. They have denied the charges. |