Hashmi Pleads Not Guilty: Update

Syed Hashmi, the first American extradited from the U.K. on terror charges, pleaded not guilty to charges of aiding al-Qaida, on Tuesday May 29.^[1] He instead asserted that he was an activist, not a terrorist. It has been alleged that he provided al-Qaida fighters with equipment to attack U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.^[2]

“He is not a terrorist. He is an academic. He’s been a political activist,” his lawyer, Sean Maher said.^[3] Maher said Hashmi has been outspoken at rallies, mostly in the United States, about his views opposing some U.S. policies, though he would not be more specific.^[4] Hashmi's attorney also asserted that while he had not seen the government’s evidence against his client, he believed the equipment was “glorified camping equipment” which included sleeping bags and goggles.^[5]

Prosecutors accuse Hashmi, who was born in Pakistan and is also known as “Fahad,” of supplying unspecified equipment for al-Qaida “to fight against United States forces in Afghanistan.”^[6] If convicted, he could face up to 50 years in prison. Among charges in the three-count indictment was the top count of conspiring to contribute funds, goods or services to the terrorist group.^[7]

We have previously discussed Hashmi's case in this blog, here.

---

^[1] Larry Neumeister, Terror Suspect: Charges Unfounded, Associated Press Newswire, May 29, 2007, available at LEXIS, News Library, Wire News Services File.
^[2] Id.
^[3] Id.
^[4] Id.
^[5] Id.
^[6] Id.
^[7] Id.