St. Petersburg Times

Building a case: ties to terror
To his supporters, Sami Al-Arian is a political prisoner. To the federal government, he is the U.S. leader of one of the deadliest terror organizations in the Middle East. Here is the story at a glance:
Key players
The charges
Chronology
Terror groups
Glossary

The indictment (from U.S. Dept. of Justice) PDF
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Terror Indictments

THE CHARGES

Count 1
Conspiracy to commit racketeering
Who:

Sami Al-Arian
Ramadan Abdullah Shallah
Bashir Musa Mohammed Nafi
Sameeh Hammoudeh
Muhammed Tasir Hassan Al Khatib
Abd Al Aziz Awda
Ghassan Zayed Ballut
Hatem Naji Fariz

Details: Those indicted are accused of running the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the United States. Racketeering specifically is the federal crime of organizing to commit crimes, particularly as a regular business.

Count 2
Conspiracy to murder, maim or injure persons at places outside the United States
Who:

Al-Arian
Shallah
Nafi
Hammoudeh
Al Khatib
Abd Al Aziz Awda
Ballut
Fariz

Details: Those indicted are accused of helping plan or organize PIJ activities or functions which helped carry out bombings.

Count 3
Conspiracy to provide material support

Who:

Al-Arian
Shallah
Nafi
Hammoudeh
Awda
Ballut
Fariz

Details: Those indicted allegedly used WISE, ICP and IAF as the North American base of support for Islamic Jihad, including raising money and directing funds to the organization and families of PIJ martyrs.

Count 4
Conspiracy to make and receive contributions of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of specially designated terrorists

Who:

Al-Arian
Shallah
Nafi
Hammoudeh
Ballut
Fariz

Details: In January 1995, President Clinton named PIJ a designated terrorist organization, making any contributions, aid or help of any sort illegal.

Counts 5-44
Travel in interstate or foreign commerce or use of the mail or any facility in interstate or foreign commerce

Who:

Al-Arian
Shallah
Nafi
Hammoudeh
Al Khatib
Awda
Ballut
Fariz

Details: Each instance where those indicted allegedly did anything unlawful by phone or fax carries an additional charge.

Count 45
Attempt to procure citizenship or naturalization unlawfully

Who:

Al-Arian

Details: When applying for citizenship, a person must disclose if they are a member of any terrorist organization.

Count 46
False statement in immigrant application

Who:

Hammoudeh

Details: When applying for permanent residence, a person must disclose if they are a member of any terrorist organization.

Count 47
Obstruction of justice

Who:

Al-Arian
Nafi

Details: Al Arian and Nafi are accused of lying during the deportation proceedings of Mazen Al-Najjar.

Counts 48-50
Perjury
Who: Nafi
Details: Nafi is accused lying during the same proceedings.