Two New Yorkers Charged with Aid to al Qaeda after Yemen Trip
The material support was computer systems modernization and technical advice. The indictment is here. The time frame is November 2007 through March 2010. Hasanoff received $50K in Nov. 2007. Hanafy traveled to Yemen in Feb of 2008. In March 2008 through May 2008, Hanafy ran a software program that enabled secure internet communication with al Qaeda.
CBS Two United States citizens residing in Brooklyn, N.Y., have been charged with trying to aid Al Qaeda terrorists. According to the indictment obtained by CBS News, the men, Wesam El-Hanafi, 33, and Sabirhan Hasanoff, 34, are charged with one count of “conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.”
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Also according to the indictment, “the defendants would and did agree to provide al Qaeda with, among other things, computer advice and assistance, services, and currency, knowing that al Qaeda had engaged and was engaging in terrorist activity[.]”
Hasanoff also received money from another conspirator, according to the indictment, and el-Hanafi traveled overseas “to Yemen where he met with two members of al Qaeda who instructed him on operational security measures and directed him to perform tasks for al Qaeda,” according to the indictment.Read the complete indictment
Thirteen overt acts are alleged in the indictment, including “El-Hanafi accepted an oath of allegiance on behalf of al Qaeda from [an unnamed co-conspirator],” and “Hasanoff traveled to New York City and performed tasks for al Qaeda.”
Al Qaeda is blamed for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
The Department of Justice released a statement Friday that said “El-Hanafi and Hasanoff are expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge T. Rawles Jones Jr. of the Eastern District of Virginia at 3:00 p.m. [Friday].”
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement, “As alleged in the indictment, Wesam El-Hanafi and Sabirhan Hasanoff conspired to modernize al Qaeda by providing computer systems expertise and other goods and services. El-Hanafi is also alleged to have traveled to Yemen to meet with al Qaeda members face-to-face. These two New Yorkers, who allegedly pledged allegiance to al Qaeda, will now be held to account for their actions. This case confirms our commitment to work with the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force to protect our citizens against the clear and present danger posed by terrorists and those who provide them material support.”
El-Hanafi was born and raised in Brooklyn. Hasanoff has U.S. and Australian citizenship, according to the indictment.
