Closing Arguments Begin In Local Terror Trial
Four Men Charged With Conspiracy To Support Terrorism
POSTED: 11:13 a.m. EDT May 19, 2003
UPDATED: 11:31 a.m. EDT May 19, 2003
After nine weeks of testimony, closing arguments were scheduled to begin Monday in the case of four local men accused of running a terrorist sleeper cell.
Karim Koubriti, Ahmed Hannan, Farouk Ali-Haimoud and Abdel-Ilah Elmardoudi were charged with conspiracy to support terrorism.
Prosecutors said the defendants are Islamic extremists who wanted to support terrorist strikes on American interests here and abroad.
The defense said the men were framed by a government witness who is lying to save himself. Defense attorneys argued during the trial that the men came to the United States to live the American dream, but ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Prosecutors believe the four suspects were organizing a terror plot, and sending money overseas to support terrorist activity, Local 4 reported.
A jury of 12 women and four men will determine if the evidence links the suspects to involvement in a terrorist plot.
The jury is expected to begin deliberating Tuesday.
It's the first trial in the United States for an alleged terror cell detected after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Karim Koubriti, Ahmed Hannan, Farouk Ali-Haimoud and Abdel-Ilah Elmardoudi were charged with conspiracy to support terrorism.
Prosecutors said the defendants are Islamic extremists who wanted to support terrorist strikes on American interests here and abroad.
The defense said the men were framed by a government witness who is lying to save himself. Defense attorneys argued during the trial that the men came to the United States to live the American dream, but ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Prosecutors believe the four suspects were organizing a terror plot, and sending money overseas to support terrorist activity, Local 4 reported.
A jury of 12 women and four men will determine if the evidence links the suspects to involvement in a terrorist plot.
The jury is expected to begin deliberating Tuesday.
It's the first trial in the United States for an alleged terror cell detected after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Previous Stories:
- April 8, 2003: Key Witness Expected To Testify In Terror Trial
- March 31, 2003: Terror Trial Witness Reaches Plea Agreement
- March 31, 2003: Terror Trial: Agent Talks About Day Planner Drawings
- March 26, 2003: Trial Begins For Local Terror Cell Suspects
- March 21, 2003: Attorneys Want Local Terror Trial Postponed
- March 18, 2003: Detroit Court On Alert As Terror Cell Trial Begins
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