Three former leaders of an Islamic charity were convicted on federal tax and fraud charges in Boston yesterday for using tax exemptions to hide support for religious militants and alleged terrorists overseas.The convictions marked a victory for the Justice Department, which has had limited success in prosecuting charity groups suspected of financial ties to al-Qaeda or other terrorist groups since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The defunct group, Care International Inc., described itself as a charity for Muslim refugees.
widows and orphans.
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In several previous cases, federal prosecutors had unsuccessfully sought to charge leaders of such charities with explicit terrorism-related crimes. But in this case, the Justice Department charged three former Care International leaders with making false statements, tax code violations and conspiracy to defraud the government.
Emadeddin Muntasser, 43, the group's founder, and Muhammed Mubayyid, 42, a former treasurer, were convicted on all counts. Samir al-Monla, 50, a former Care International president, was convicted on all counts but one. He was acquitted on a false statement charge. Officials said the defendants could face 10 to 19 years in prison.
"Today's verdict is a milestone in our efforts against those who conceal their support for extremist causes behind the veil of humanitarianism," Kenneth L. Wainstein, assistant attorney general for national security, said in a statement.
Prosecutors presented evidence alleging that the group obtained tax deductible donations to support "mujahadeen" fighters overseas. The Justice Department also detailed meetings between Monla and Afghan warlord Gulbadeen Hekmatyar, who has been designated as a global terrorist by the State Department.