Three Muslims Accused With Plot To Kill US Soldiers
Here is the actual indictment:
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
WESTERN DIVISION
Military.com
TOLEDO, Ohio - The aunt of a man accused of plotting to kill American Soldiers testified Friday that he said he was learning how to shoot guns for his own protection, but another defense witness said the defendant told him he was going to the range just for fun.
Prosecutors allege that the real reason was for Wassim Mazloum to be ready to fight U.S. Soldiers in Iraq.
Mazloum Mohammad Amawi and Marwan El-Hindi are charged with conspiring to kill or maim people outside the United States.
A government informant, Darren Griffin, has testified that he trained recruits for the plot after one of the defendants sought him out. The defense alleges that Griffin made up the case against the men so that he would keep getting paid as an informant.
Federal prosecutors wrapped up their case Friday against the three Ohio men, who face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.
Mazloum began his defense first. His aunt, Nailam Elkhechen, said Mazloum showed her one of the paper targets he shot at the range. She asked him why he was going there.
He was planning to return to Lebanon, where he was born and lived until he was 19, and he was worried about civil unrest and fighting there, she testified. He told her that he wanted to be ready to defend himself, she said.
Hussein Smidi, who grew up with Mazloum in Lebanon and now lives in Toledo, said the two talked about the trips to the shooting range. “He said it was for fun,” Smidi testified.
Griffin, a former Army Special Forces Soldier, says he gained the trust of the defendants by posing as a former Soldier who grew disenchanted with U.S. foreign policy. He recorded the defendants at their homes, when they ate together and when they practiced shooting guns.
At one point, Griffin said they needed to have a goal when they gathered to practice shooting at a gun range.
“We should have a goal,” Mazloum replied, according to a recording made by Griffin. “It’s not just going for fun.”
Defense attorneys say there is no other evidence of telephone conversations or e-mails regarding the alleged plot and that the only conversations involved Griffin.
Amawi and El-Hindi are U.S. citizens, and Mazloum came to the U.S. legally from Lebanon. El-Hindi was born in Jordan, and Amawi was born in the U.S. but also has Jordanian citizenship.
(AP)
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Just another misunderstanding of Islam from a bunch of Islamophobes. Yeah right…String the three jihadi stooges up from the nearest light pole.
May 24th, 2008 at 7:56 pmnice beards
May 24th, 2008 at 8:18 pmI’m telling you, they are fucking everywhere in Ohio
Dearborn-Toledo-Cleveland-Columbus-Cincy 
May 24th, 2008 at 8:46 pmWay to go Griffin. That Special Forces FID training came to good use. He should get some sort of commendation for uncovering this plot.
May 25th, 2008 at 12:27 amthe guy in the middle picture just ate a baby bear
May 25th, 2008 at 12:55 amI know Dearborn isn’t in Ohio but that is the central hub of their activities.
May 25th, 2008 at 6:19 amUnfortunalely I live near dearborn, but fortunately the local kfc is now offering halal chicken
May 25th, 2008 at 6:31 am