Va. Islamic Scholar Gets Life in U.S. Treason Case
A prominent Islamic scholar who exhorted his followers after the Sept. 11 attacks to join the Taliban and fight U.S. troops was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.
Ali al-Timimi was convicted in April of soliciting treason, inducing others to aid the Taliban and to use firearms in violation of federal law.
“I will not admit guilt nor seek the court’s mercy,” the Fairfax cleric said before sentencing. “I do this simply because I am innocent.”
Lawyers Edward MacMahon and Alan Yamamoto argued that al-Timimi was unfairly prejudiced at trial by inflammatory evidence of his religious beliefs -- and accused prosecutors of misconduct for unfairly linking al-Timimi to Osama bin Laden.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Gordon Kromberg said al-Timimi “hates the United States” and has called for its destruction. “He’s allowed to do that in this country,” Kromberg said. “He’s not allowed to solicit treason.”
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema said the evidence supported the mandatory life sentence.
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