Mohamed al-Anssi, 52, who set himself ablaze in November 2004 outside a White House, will be testifying in the case of Sheikh Al-Moyoad. At the time, Al-anssi, who reportedly worked as an FBI informant, suffered injuries that weren't life threatening. REUTERS An FBI informant who set himself on fire in front of the White House last December will be called as a witness for the defense of Yemeni Sheikh Al-Moayad, who was accused of aiding Hamas and al-Qaida.Lawyers for Sheikh Mohammed Ali Hasan Al-Moayad and his assistant said they have subpoenaed Mohamed al-Anssi, who helped build the FBI's case by posing as the go-between for Al-Moayad and another informant playing an American Muslim who wanted help funneling millions of dollars to terrorists. Al-Anssi appeared in headlines of major US newspaper and on TV screens in the US and throughout the world for trying to commit suicide for allegedly not receiving the promised money from the FBI, who he also said did not return him his passports. He has never appeared at the trial, but has nevertheless been a central figure because he was the prosecution's main informer, helping F.B.I set up a sting to ensnare the Sheikh Al-Moayad.
Al-Anssi is the sole source of some of the government's most dramatic claims about Al-Moayad, including the allegation that the Sheikh said he personally handed $20 million to Osama bin Laden. Defense lawyers said they would request the unsealing of a bank fraud case filed against Al-Anssi in Brooklyn federal court last year. If al-Anssi does appear as a witness, that and other information he gave prosecutors could be heard by the jury. But the defense is expected to attack him as an opportunist and a liar who fed the F.B.I. false information in exchange for lucrative payments. Al-Anssi , who has been subpoenaed by the defense, could testify next week, lawyers said.