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Al-Arian trial turns to Web evidence

Prosecutors focus on Internet sites two co-defendants visited, which included several Arabic-language sites.

By BRADY DENNIS
Published October 6, 2005

TAMPA - Federal prosecutors in the trial of Sami Al-Arian spent Wednesday entering into evidence information obtained by FBI agents from the home computers of co-defendants Ghassan Ballut and Hatem Fariz.

Last week, attorneys argued over the admissibility over such evidence, but U.S. District Judge James S. Moody allowed it, saying it could show knowledge of terrorist acts if prosecutors prove that defendants helped fund the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Much of Wednesday's evidence centered on Internet sites the two men visited between 2001 and 2003. It included numerous e-mails, several Arabic-language Web sites and other sites, including www.islamway.com and www.terrorismanswers.com

Amid the evidence were such common sites as www.yahoo.com www.washingtonpost.com and www.pokerroom.com Government lawyers said they plan to call a witness to testify about the content of some of the Web sites and e-mails, but they did not get that far Wednesday.

The PIJ has claimed responsibility for more than 100 deaths in Israel and the occupied territories. Prosecutors allege that Al-Arian, a former University of South Florida professor, and co-defendants Ballut, Fariz and Sameeh Hammoudeh worked through organizations in Tampa to help the group raise money to commit some of the murders.

Defense attorneys say their clients worked only for the charitable activities of the PIJ and, therefore, should not be convicted.

[Last modified October 6, 2005, 01:13:15]