7 Accused of Aiding Terrorism Seek Dismissal of Charges

Defense lawyers asked a Los Angeles federal judge Monday to dismiss criminal charges against seven Iranian emigres accused of raising money for an organization on the State Department’s roster of terrorist groups.

U.S. District Judge Robert M. Takasugi promised to rule within a week.

At issue is whether the Mujahedin-e Khalq, an Iraqi-based group that opposes the Iranian regime, was properly designated as a terrorist organization by the State Department.

Last year, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia found that the State Department had violated the group’s due-process rights by not giving it a chance to rebut the terrorism allegations.

The appeals court refused to set aside the designation but directed the State Department to give the group a hearing. After doing so, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell reaffirmed the designation.

The defendants, who are free on bail, were accused of raising $5,000 to $10,000 a day at Los Angeles International Airport by asking foreign travelers for donations to feed starving children in Iran. According to the FBI, the money was used to buy arms, including mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. The defendants have denied the allegations.