U.S. Department of Justice Statement on Guilty Verdicts in Abu Ali Case

United States Attorney Paul J. McNulty announced that defendant Ahmed Omar Abu Ali was convicted today by a jury in the Eastern District of Virginia on all counts of a Superseding Indictment charging him with terrorism offenses. The jury unanimously found Abu Ali, age 24 of Falls Church, Va., guilty of (1) conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (al-Qaeda); (2) providing material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (al-Qaeda); (3) conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists; (4) providing material support to terrorists; (5) contribution of services to al-Qaeda; (6) receipt of funds and services from al-Qaeda; (7) conspiracy to assassinate the President of the United States; (8) conspiracy to commit air piracy; and (9) conspiracy to destroy aircraft.
The evidence at trial included evidence that Abu Ali had joined an al-Qaeda cell in Saudi Arabia; that he received training from members of the cell in weapons, explosives, and document forgery from an al-Qaeda cell in Saudi Arabia; plotted with senior al-Qaeda operatives to personally carry out the assassination of the President; engaged in a conspiracy to hijack and destroy civilian airliners in a scheme substantially similar to the September 11, 2001, attacks; and researched nuclear power facilities in the United States at the behest of a senior al-Qaeda operative.
United States Attorney McNulty stated: "The evidence presented in this case firmly established Abu Ali as a dangerous terrorist who posed a grave threat to our national security. This conviction is the result of extraordinary law enforcement work and international cooperation. It serves as a clear warning to all that terrorists can and will be brought to the bar of justice."
The defendant faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 17, 2006.
Assistant United States Attorneys David H. Laufman and Stephen M. Campbell, Department of Justice Trial Attorney Jerry R. DeMaio, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Mala Tusk prosecuted the case for the United States. The case was investigated by agents of the Washington Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
http://www.usnewswire.com/

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