[1] Mohamed Shorbagi Update. "Muslim leader sentenced for backing Hamas," from [2] AP:

ROME, Ga. (AP) -- The former Imam of a Rome Muslim congregation has been sentenced to more than seven and a half years in prison for providing monetary support to the terrorist organization Hamas.

U.S. District Judge Harole Murphy sentenced 42-year-old Mohamed Shorbagi today in Rome.

Federal prosecutors said Shorbagi had sought donations from his mosque that were sent to the Palestianinan terrorist group. They also said he provided logistics for them by creating media materials that ultimately were distributed oversesas.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Dammers suggested that his sentence be reduced from 15 years in prison because of Shorbagi's help in testifying for the government in other terrorism-related trials.

After the sentencing, Shorbagi shook hands with about a dozen friends and family members who were gathered at the court before he was taken away.

At the sentencing, Shobagi said he realized that some of his actions were wrong, which was why he decided to cooperate with the government.

He pleaded guility in August to a charge of providing material support to Hamas.

He is a citizen of the Palestian territories but is in the United State legally. He says he has been in America for 22 years.