The federal prosecution against a former U.S. navy sailor for terrorism charged opened Monday in Connecticut. Hassan Abu-Jihaad stands accused of providing material support to terrorists with the intent to harm or kill U.S. citizens. The U.S. government alleges that Abu-Jihaad obtained classified evidence regarding Navy fleet movements in the Straits of Hormuz and sent that information to a suspected terrorist living in London.
Abu-Jihaad pleaded not guilty to the charges, which are considered war crimes in military legal code. He could face 25 years in prison if convicted on all charges. The U.S. government also alleges he distributed classified information deemed relevant to national security.
Abu-Jihaad, formerly known as Paul Hall, was awarded an honorable discharge from the Navy in 2002. He is charged in the same case as a British computer expert, Babar Ahmad, who used Web sites to generate funds, provide military equipment such as night-vision goggles and recruit individuals to support terrorist-related causes and activities.
The case is one of the first such investigations to look into internet-based terrorist activity following the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. The prosecution says this case illustrates how the Internet can be used as a propaganda tool to radicalize Muslim converts and other susceptible targets.
Abu-Jihaad sent e-mails to Ahmad in 2000 and 2001 while the former was on active duty. He praised in the e-mails the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000 and lauded the workings of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. He also bought terrorist videos. Prosecutors say the videos, e-mails and information allegedly outlining U.S fleet activity suggests he was conspiring to commit terrorist acts against U.S. interests.
