Heartland Jihad. They are accused of having “attended a Muslim convention in Cleveland during the summer of 2004 where they talked about training in explosives, guns and sniper tactics.”
“Terror trial begins in Ohio,” by John Seewer for Associated Press :
TOLEDO, Ohio – Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of three men charged with plotting to recruit and train terrorists to attack U.S. and allied troops overseas.
Mohammad Zaki Amawi, Marwan Othman El-Hindi and Wassim I. Mazloum are accused of conspiring to kill or maim people outside the United States, including military personnel in Iraq. They have all pleaded not guilty.
Federal prosecutors say the men, who live in Ohio, attended a Muslim convention in Cleveland during the summer of 2004 where they talked about training in explosives, guns and sniper tactics.
The men were there with a former U.S. military man who worked undercover and helped foil the plot, said Gregg Sofer, a justice department attorney.
At the convention, the men discussed a five-year plan to carry out their mission, Sofer said during a bond hearing last April.
Two Chicago-area cousins who also are accused of taking part are scheduled to face trial next year. All are U.S. citizens except Mazloum, who came to the U.S. legally from Lebanon.
The five allegedly sought recruits and sites for training in firearms, hand-to-hand combat and the use of explosives, according to a federal indictment.
They also are accused of agreeing to raise funds for training and of downloading Internet information on improvised explosive devices.