Two Iraqi refugees living in Bowling Green, Ky., have been arrested and charged with violating federal terrorism laws — allegedly plotting to send missiles and other weapons to insurgents to kill American soldiers abroad.
Waad Ramadan Alwan, 30, and Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, 23, are accused of conspiring to send Stinger missiles, cash, sniper rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers from the United States to al Qaeda and other jihadists in Iraq.
They allegedly picked up the weapons from a storage facility in Bowling Green and delivered it to a tractor trailer in Franklin, Ky., thinking it all would be sent to insurgents, according to criminal complaints filed in U.S. District Court.
In fact, the warehouse was rented by the FBI, which also owned the truck, and the operation was part of an elaborate sting set up by a confidential informant. The weapons were all disarmed never had any chance of being shipped abroad, according to court records.
Alwan also is charged with conspiring to kill U.S soldiers with improvised explosive devices in Iraq before he came to the United States.
The defendants were charged in a 23-count indictment unsealed Tuesday for which they could be sentenced to life in prison.
Alwan is also charged with conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction against U.S. nationals abroad; distributing information on the manufacture and use of IEDs; attempting to provide material support to terrorists and to al-Qaeda in Iraq, as well as conspiracy to transfer, possess and export Stinger missiles.
Hammadi is charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists and to al-Qaeda in Iraq, as well as to transfer, possess and export Stinger missiles.
Both men made their initial appearance Tuesday in federal court in Louisville, where they both pleaded not guilty and were ordered held pending a detention hearing June 8 in Bowling Green.
Neither is charged with plotting attacks within the United States.
Both entered the United States after applying for and receiving refugee status, according to criminal complaints. Under the law, they will be deported if they are convicted.
Link:
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110531/NEWS01/305310071/2-Iraqi-refugees-indicted-terrorism-charges-Kentucky?odyssey=mod|mostcom
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