Video:Guilty Verdicts in Somali Terror Financing Trial: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
Friday, October 21, 2011
Amina Farah Ali, 35, and Hawo Mohamed Hassan, 64, were linked to a "deadly pipeline" that routed money and fighters from the U.S. to Somalia. They were accused of conspiracy to provide funding to al-Shabaab, and other charges.
When Ali spoke to the judge, she said, "Go to hell all of you. I am going to Heaven."
Defense attorneys portrayed the women as humanitarians who wanted to help the poor in their war-torn homeland and tried to aid those protecting Somalia.
According to the indictment, on Oct. 26, 2008, Ali hosted a teleconference during which a co-conspirator told listeners that it was not the time to help the poor and needy in Somalia, but that it was time to give to the mujahidin. Ali and Hassan recorded $2,100 in pledges during that call.
On Feb. 10, 2009, Ali conducted another fundraising teleconference during which she told listeners to “forget about the other charities” and focus on “the jihad.”
On July 14, 2009, the day after the FBI executed a search warrant at her home, Ali called her primary al-Shabaab contact, saying, “I was questioned by the enemy here... They took all my stuff and are investigating it . Do not accept calls from anyone.”
Ali and Hassan face a potential maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for conspiracy. Ali also faces a potential fifteen years for each count of providing material support, while Hassan faces a potential eight years for each count of making a false statement.
Source: FOXNews