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Africa North
Egypt court convicts 26 men of links to Hezbollah
2010-04-28
An Egyptian court on Wednesday convicted 26 men of planning attacks inside Egypt and of being linked to Lebanese group Hezbollah.
Jihadis: making friends and influencing people wherever they go.
Judge Adel Abdel Salam Gomaa of the emergency state security court sentenced the men - who included Lebanese, Palestinians, Egyptians and one Sudanese - to prison terms ranging from six months to 25 years. Gomaa said the investigation proved the group intended "to strike Egypt's economy, destroy the bonds between its people and create chaos and instability throughout the country." The court's sentences may not be appealed. Only the president can overturn its verdict.

The 26 detainees in the were arrested in late 2008 and early 2009 and charged with conspiring to carry out attacks against the Suez Canal and tourist sites within Egypt, spying for a foreign entity and possession of explosives. Media reports at the time said the investigation into Hezbollah activities revealed that the goal of the cell was to undermine stability in Egypt and to strike at Israeli targets, not to aid Gaza's Hamas rulers.

Among those tried was Sami Chehab, also named as Mohamed Youssef Mansour Ahmed, who received a jail term of 15 years. He was present in court, placed with the others inside a cage. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last year confirmed Chehab was a member of the group but denied he committed any crime, saying Chehab was only involved in helping equip Palestinians in their fight against Israel.

Defense attorney Montasser Zayat said three of those convicted received life sentences, which he said in Egyptian law was equivalent to 25 years.
Posted by:ryuge

#2  Lumpy Elmoluck5091, this varied group of men were cannon fodder plus a small leadership cadre -- not even any Number Threes, I imagine. At that level, just about any vetted enthusiastic volunteer will do. At the top level in each of the jihadi groups it seems to be pretty tribal, with an awful lot of intermarriage to nail home loyalties. That's probably what you were thinking of. Even Al Qaeda has a pretty small circle at the top.
Posted by: trailing wife at the Toyota shop   2010-04-28 14:18  

#1  Judge Adel Abdel Salam Gomaa of the emergency state security court sentenced the men - who included Lebanese, Palestinians, Egyptians and one Sudanese - to prison terms ranging from six months to 25 years.

I just realized I am prejudiced--I always think of Hezbollah as Iranian and Lebanese exclusively. AQ seems more inclusive, taking anyone that signs on, but I guess a black Sudanese just didn't fit my mental image of a Hizzbilly. I guess I'll have to be more open-minded when it comes to suspicious terrorists.
Posted by: Lumpy Elmoluck5091   2010-04-28 11:24  

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