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| US-Pakistani gets 15 years for aiding al Qaeda |
| 2010-06-11 |
| A Pakistani-born American man accused of providing support for al Qaeda's efforts to combat US forces in Afghanistan was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday, officials said. A Justice Department statement said Syed Hashmi, who pleaded guilty on April 27 to a charge of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to the terror network, received the maximum sentence under law from US District Chief Judge Loretta Preska. US Attorney Preet Bharara said, "Hashmi was held accountable for his conduct, and his sentence makes clear that individuals who provide support to such terror networks will be brought to justice." "Terrorist organisations such as al Qaeda depend upon a wide array of individuals across the world to accomplish their violent objectives. This support network includes individuals like Syed Hashmi who embrace al Qaeda's violent ideology and stand ready to translate ideology into action," the prosecutor added. Hashmi, also known as Fahad," was arrested on June 6, 2006, form the Heathrow Airport in London, shortly before boarding a flight to Pakistan. He was later transferred to theUS, becoming the first person extradited from Britain to the United States on terrorism charges." Hashmi, born in Pakistan and educated in New York, was accused of letting a terrorism suspect stay in his student apartment in London and allowing the man to use his cell phone to call other suspects. The guest also had a supply of rain gear, such as ponchos and waterproof socks that was allegedly being delivered to al Qaeda in Pakistan. Human rights groups including Amnesty International and the Centre for Constitutional Rights, alleged Hashmi had been subjected to harsh pre-trial detention. |
| Posted by:Fred |