Charity's Terror-Funding Trial Wraps Up

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Source: AP - Guardian Unlimited

Monday September 17, 2007 4:31 PM

By DAVID KOENIG

Associated Press Writer

DALLAS (AP) - The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development was once the largest Muslim charity in the United States, but federal prosecutors argued Monday that underneath its surface lay an ominous goal: financing international terrorism.

After two months of testimony, closing arguments began Monday in the trial of the foundation and five of its leaders on charges of aiding terrorists, conspiracy and money laundering.

The defense says the foundation was helping ordinary Palestinians in need.

Prosector Barry Jonas told the jury Monday that the Holy Land Foundation wasn't a normal charity at all. Authorities allege the foundation funneled more than $12 million to Palestinian schools and charities controlled by the militant group Hamas after the U.S. government declared Hamas a terrorist group in 1995, which made supporting it illegal.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6928362,00.html