Three ‘Homegrown’ Jihadists Convicted of Plotting Attacks
Three Muslim men – two American citizens and a permanent resident – were convicted Thursday of plotting terrorist attacks overseas and at the U.S. Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va., in a case that highlights the threat of terrorism from “homegrown” jihadists. During the three-week federal trial in New Bern, N.C., prosecutors presented evidence that U.S.-born defendants Omar Aly Hassan, 22, Ziyad Yaghi, 21, and Hysen Sherifi, a 24-year-old refugee from Kosovo, had traveled overseas, raised money and undergone weapons training as they prepared to launch attacks. The men face prison sentences of 15 years to life.
The three were part of an eight-member group of men led by Daniel Boyd, an American-born convert to Islam who, along with two of his sons, pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges in February.
The men convicted this week were arrested and indicted in 2009 after discussing their intentions, speaking of jihad and distributing radical propaganda – but before setting any plans in motion. According to media reports, defense attorneys and other supporters of the men say the suspects were entrapped by undercover “provocateurs” and convicted of guilt by association. They said the men made “stupid” and offensive statements but had committed no crimes. A jury, deliberating for two days, disagreed