Islamic charity's terror trial starts soon: "Defendants will get their first chance to dispute charges that the group supported Hamas.
By Greg Krikorian
Times Staff Writer
July 23, 2007
DALLAS — Nearly six years after it shut down the nation's largest Islamic charity for alleged ties to terrorism, the U.S. government begins the high-stakes prosecution this week of five top officials of the Holy Land Foundation, accused of funneling money to Palestinian militants.
In a 2001 Rose Garden appearance shortly after Sept. 11, President Bush said the charity was among those that 'do business with terror.'
Holy Land officials denied claims that the charity sent funds to Hamas, and tried unsuccessfully to force the U.S. to prove it in court. Ironically, the criminal case gives the charity officials — all but one of whom are U.S. citizens — their first chance to dispute specific allegations that they supported the terrorist group."
By Greg Krikorian
Times Staff Writer
July 23, 2007
DALLAS — Nearly six years after it shut down the nation's largest Islamic charity for alleged ties to terrorism, the U.S. government begins the high-stakes prosecution this week of five top officials of the Holy Land Foundation, accused of funneling money to Palestinian militants.
In a 2001 Rose Garden appearance shortly after Sept. 11, President Bush said the charity was among those that 'do business with terror.'
Holy Land officials denied claims that the charity sent funds to Hamas, and tried unsuccessfully to force the U.S. to prove it in court. Ironically, the criminal case gives the charity officials — all but one of whom are U.S. citizens — their first chance to dispute specific allegations that they supported the terrorist group."
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