A Sunrise [Florida] computer programmer who was arrested nearly two years ago by federal terrorism task force agents was charged Thursday with trying to obstruct a federal investigation and hiding his role in recruiting fighters and raising money to support a global holy war. Adham Amin Hassoun, who knew several high-profile South Florida terrorism suspects and was known among the local Muslim community for his passionate defense of the Palestinian cause, is accused of lying to a judge and federal investigators about recruiting a "jihad fighter." He also is charged with concealing his role in an alleged assassination plot overseas and raising money for a holy war or "global jihad," according to a 14-page indictment filed in West Palm Beach federal court. ....
Hassoun was known to raise money for Muslim charities but has denied raising money to fund terrorism. He registered the Florida branch of the Muslim charity Benevolence International in 1993 before resigning from the group months later. The government froze the charity’s funds in 2001, connecting the funds with Osama bin Laden. Though Hassoun is not charged with terrorism, prosecutors say he lied about his relationship with Mohamed Youssef, an Egyptian man and associate of Jose Padilla. Padilla, a U.S. citizen who once lived in Broward County, is being held as an "enemy combatant." He is accused of participating in an al-Qaida plot to detonate a radioactive "dirty bomb" in the United States. ... Hassoun said he met both men at a mosque. Padilla stayed with Youssef after he left South Florida in 1998, according to Hassoun.... |