Kesher Talk

Lebanese immigrant was found guilty of helping to fund the militant group Hezbollah with profits from a multimillion-dollar cigarette-smuggling operation run from North Carolina. A federal jury in Charlotte convicted Mohamad Hammoud, 28-years old, on charges he had provided 'material support' to Hezbollah, which the US has branded as a terrorist organization. Mr. Hammoud and his brother were also found guilty of cigarette smuggling, racketeering and money laundering. Mr. Hammoud is the first person to be tried under provisions of the 1996 federal Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act that make it illegal to provide funding or equipment to foreign terror groups. Friday's verdict shows 'if these kinds of cells are out there we can find them, and we've got the tools to do something about it,' said Kenneth D. Bell, the assistant U.S. attorney who tried the case. 'I don't think this will be the last such case. I think there will be many more.'

posted by Howard @ 6/24/2002 10:26:54 AM