Reply With QuoteWhat part of, "...they agreed to help an FBI informant launder $50,000 from the sale of a shoulder-fired missile...," don't you and the judge understand?
Judge frees 2 suspects and blasts terror case
Prosecutors concede a translation error
By Ellen Wulfhorst, Reuters | August 25, 2004
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Two Islamic men accused of supporting terrorism after their arrest in an FBI sting operation were ordered released from jail yesterday by a judge who blasted the government's case by saying there is no evidence they have any links to terrorists.
US Magistrate David Homer ruled Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain should be released on $250,000 bond each and held in home detention under electronic surveillance while they await trial. He said that could take up to two years, so the men will be allowed to work and attend mosque until the trial.
The pair had been ordered held without bail earlier this month -- a ruling largely based on an address book that prosecutors said was found in an Iraqi terrorist training camp. The book referred to Aref as ''the commander" in Arabic.
The government now says that translation was an error and the word is ''brother" in Kurdish.
Aref, 34, the leader of an Albany mosque, and Hossain, 49, a pizzeria owner, were arrested in a sting operation in which authorities said they agreed to help an FBI informant launder $50,000 from the sale of a shoulder-fired missile as part of a fake plan to assassinate a Pakistani diplomat.
They pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering, supporting terrorism, and conspiracy on Aug. 10.
The judge chided the government, saying the case is much weaker now than it first appeared. He said the two were not plotting violence and are not a danger to the community. ''The evidence in this case appears less strong today," Homer said. ''There is no evidence . . . to support the claim that Mr. Aref has any contact with any terrorist organization."
Defense attorney Terence Kindlon said the government was not merely overzealous but had presented false information.
''We've gone from something that sounded sinister and ominous and scary and terrible to zero in less than two weeks," he told the judge.
Prosecutors argued that whether the word was ''commander" or ''brother" was irrelevant and does not affect the criminal charges the two men face. They say the pair were willing participants in the sting operation set up by the FBI.
Under terms of their release, which is likely in one to two days, neither man may leave the area without permission.
NO, I'm not gloating and a terrorist sympathizer. Just posting how over zealous the government can be.
What part of, "...they agreed to help an FBI informant launder $50,000 from the sale of a shoulder-fired missile...," don't you and the judge understand?
From what I've heard, the FBI informant was literally begging him to take the 50K.
But I wasn't in the court room so I don't know but apparently it was enough for the judge to say that said the entire case appears to hinge on a fic ious terrorist plot proffered by an undercover informant.
...where'd you hear that, Joe?
Well, he still took it to help get a stinger with the stated intent to shoot down a plane, right?From what I've heard, the FBI informant was literally begging him to take the 50K.
Silly me, I know if some guy came up to my door and said he heard I could get him a stinger, I'd sure as take the money and agree to help shoot down a plane.
All of us would do the same thing, right?
You know I would.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda is not the issue.
I heard it on the Brad Messer show.
Now, I'm not saying he is innocent, just that an over zealous prosecutor and government may have ed this up.
Then it must be true!"I heard it on the Brad Messer show"
Uh, Who's Brad Messer?
Joe,
He agreed to set up a stinger missile sale with the expressed intent of shooting down an airliner.
For the love of God, what the does it take? It's not like the guy was planning a free speech rally, he was going to help someone shoot down an airliner!
What, pray tell, is innocent about that?
libs want a shot down airliner before they will react...
Oh, I see, unless it's on Rush Lipbalm or the Sean insHannity show it can't be true?
Who said it can't be true?
The guy took 50K to get a missile to shoot down an airliner.
WTF does it take, a video tape confession in the presence of a public notary?
This is so stupid. One day maybe some people will get a clue... when one gets shot down.
Sorry, BigZak, but that's bull .libs want a shot down airliner before they will react...
That is the last thing in the world that I want.
I was actually hoping for a reputable news source or court testimony to support what you "heard." And, no, Rush and Sean don't make it any more credible than this guy you heard."Oh, I see, unless it's on Rush Lipbalm or the Sean insHannity show it can't be true?"
BTW, I don't listen to Rush and I don't watch or listen to Hannity...and, I doubt you've ever seen me quote them in here.
Good for you. I thought for sure you'd be a listener of their shows since you are a staunch conservative....allegedly.
I'm actually a Libertarian that is a staunch support of George W. Bush.
So you will be voting for the liberarian candidate?
Nope.
The Libertarians are soft on terrorism this go 'round.
So the only issue you are looking at is the fight against terrorism?
You agree with a amendment banning gay marriage?
You agree with Bush's environmental policies?
You agree with the highest government spending spree in history?
It is the most important issue to face this nation in a century.
And it is working just like Bush wants it to.
Quote:libs want a shot down airliner before they will react...
Sorry, BigZak, but that's bull .
That is the last thing in the world that I want.
I'm not saying you want a shot down airliner Joe, I'm saying that's what it takes for Libs to support going on the offensive.
And it is working just like Bush wants it to.
Please. Elaborate on that.
I'm just not into pre-emptive strikes by the USA unless necessary. I understand that we must fight terrorism but the argument the Bush administration gave for attacking Iraq has been shaky. To me anyway.Quote:
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Quote:libs want a shot down airliner before they will react...
Sorry, BigZak, but that's bull .
That is the last thing in the world that I want.
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I'm not saying you want a shot down airliner Joe, I'm saying that's what it takes for Libs to support going on the offensive.
I know many liberals who feel the same way.
argument the Bush administration gave for attacking Iraq has been shaky
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know off hand what the exact vote tally was of Republican & Democrat congressmen/women that supported that shaky argument?
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