The HLF Defendants Who Got Away

Five former leaders and fundraisers for the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) received long prison sentences last month after being convicted of illegally routing money to the Hamas terrorist group. That prompted journalist Todd Bensman to wonder what happened to two other conspirators named in the indictment, but who fled the country just before it was issued in 2004.

Haithem Maghawri and Akram Mishal are believed to be living in the Middle East – Mishal in Syria and Maghawri in either Gaza or Lebanon – where they probably are out of reach from American law enforcement. Since they're accused of financing terror, and not plotting or carrying out attacks, hunting them down may not be considered a priority.

But there are international warrants out for their arrests.

"They'd be captured and extradited only if either man makes the mistake of trying to travel through the wrong friendly country and gets noticed," Bensman wrote.

But one FBI agent promised Bensman the two fugitives won't be forgotten, "at least not while some of us are still employed."

Reader comments on this item

HLF Funds

Submitted by P.T. Dunleavy, Jun 20, 2009 09:07

Much has been documented on the destination of funds raised by the Holy Land Foundation to terrorist organizations, i.e.) Hamas , however little has been documented as to the source of HLF funds, the donors. In some cases they were convicted felons in prisons. Correctional systems allowed inmates to donate to bonafide charitable organizations. The person responsible for for certifying the bonafides of the group is the Chaplain. In many instances this was the Prison Imam. Often unaware of the complicity the funds were sent in the form of government checks drawn from the prisoners accounts to HLF.

Comment on this item