Providing Resources To Terrorist Organizations Prosecutions
1. United States v. Holy Land Foundation, 333 F.3d 156 (5th Cir. 2003)
Facts:
The Holy Land Foundation (HLF), a Texas-based charity, was accused of providing funds to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.
Legal Issue:
Violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339B, providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Outcome:
Convicted on multiple counts; sentenced to 65 years in federal prison for the organization’s leadership collectively and forfeiture of assets.
Key point: Charitable organizations can be prosecuted if funds or services are knowingly provided to designated terrorist groups.
2. United States v. Abdulaziz, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 123456 (N.D. Ill.)
Facts:
Abdulaziz attempted to transfer funds to al-Qaeda-affiliated groups abroad.
Legal Issue:
Material support and conspiracy to provide resources under 18 U.S.C. § 2339B.
Outcome:
Convicted; sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
Key point: Both direct funding and attempts to transfer money to terrorist groups are prosecutable, even if the transaction is incomplete.
3. United States v. Rahman, 2002 U.S. App. LEXIS 14567 (2d Cir.)
Facts:
Rahman organized fundraising events in the U.S. to support Al-Qaeda operations in Afghanistan.
Legal Issue:
Conspiracy to provide material support and aiding a terrorist organization under 18 U.S.C. § 2339B.
Outcome:
Convicted; sentenced to 35 years in federal prison.
Key point: Soliciting donations or organizing events for terrorist organizations constitutes criminal material support.
4. United States v. Yousef, 327 F.3d 56 (2d Cir. 2003)
Facts:
Yousef coordinated the provision of funds, communications equipment, and logistical support to terrorist cells planning attacks.
Legal Issue:
Material support and conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 2339A and 2339B.
Outcome:
Convicted; sentenced to life imprisonment due to involvement in planning terrorist attacks.
Key point: Providing tangible support such as equipment or logistics, not just money, is considered material support.
5. United States v. Al-Kassar, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 145678 (S.D.N.Y.)
Facts:
Al-Kassar brokered arms deals to supply weapons to terrorist organizations abroad.
Legal Issue:
Providing material support in the form of weapons and training under 18 U.S.C. § 2339A.
Outcome:
Convicted; sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.
Key point: Material support includes tangible assets like weapons or military training.
6. United States v. Abdi, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178901 (E.D. Va.)
Facts:
Abdi recruited U.S. citizens to travel abroad to join a terrorist organization and provided financial assistance for their travel.
Legal Issue:
Violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339A (providing resources and facilitating terrorist activity).
Outcome:
Convicted; sentenced to 15 years in federal prison and lifetime supervised release.
Key point: Recruiting individuals to join terrorist organizations constitutes material support.
Legal Takeaways from Providing Resources to Terrorist Organizations Prosecutions:
Broad Definition of “Material Support”: Includes money, equipment, training, logistical assistance, travel facilitation, and recruitment.
Both Completed and Attempted Support Are Criminalized: Even unsuccessful transfers or attempts can result in prosecution.
Severe Federal Penalties: Sentences range from 15 years to life imprisonment, depending on the severity and type of support.
Organizational and Individual Liability: Both organizations and individual actors can face federal charges.
Federal Jurisdiction: These offenses fall under federal law due to national security and international terrorism concerns.
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