Appeals Court Upholds NC Terror Sentences

A federal appeals court upheld the convictions and sentences of individuals involved in a North Carolina terror cell that plotted to wage violent jihad overseas. A federal jury convicted Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan, Ziyad Yaghi and Hysen Sherifi on terrorism-related charges in October 2011. The men were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 to 45 years.

The three appealed their sentences citing lack of sufficient evidence, their First and Second Amendment rights, and the use information gathered under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The Fourth Circuit Court rejected their claims stating, "The laudable efforts of law enforcement and the prosecutors have ensured that, on this occasion at least, we will not be left to second-guess how a terrorist attack could have been prevented."

Court records and evidence presented at the trial showed that members of the North Carolina terror cell sought to engage in violent jihad and die as martyrs. Daniel Patrick Boyd, the ringleader of the terror cell, had traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan in 1989 and 1992 to receive military-style training. He joined with mujahideen forces to fight Soviet troops in Afghanistan.

Several of the defendants also traveled to Israel in June 2007 with the desire to die "as martyrs in furtherance of violent jihad." After failing to get into the country, the men returned to the United States, where they scouted potential targets for attacks, including the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va.

Boyd pleaded guilty in February 2011 and subsequently testified against several of his co-conspirators. He received a prison sentence of 18 years. Boyd's two sons, Zakaria and Dylan Boyd pleaded guilty to conspiring to providing material support to terrorists and received prison sentences between eight and nine years. Another defendant, Anes Subasic, was tried separately on immigration and terrorism charges and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Thomas G. Walker applauded the Fourth Circuit decision saying, "[It] not only affirms the convictions and sentences of these individuals, but it affirms the dedication of the many agencies involved in this investigation and prosecution to protect our nation from harms both foreign and domestic."

Reader comments on this item

Sham oj Justice!

Submitted by Saj Davis, Feb 7, 2014 23:52

I have read the court transcripts three times! I even interviewed the bride of Ziyad Yaghi and visited the 'supposed' mosque where Yaghi was supposed to meet terrorists. I have done extensive research on this case. The inherent and glaring, also terrifying, precedents of this case - thoughts and associations are now enough for the US government to condemn an innocent citizen for 'terrorism'. That's unconstitutional and against international human rights!! This decorum is expected in a country with an Alien and Sedition Acts, 'under a declaration of war', but neither is admitted by our government. The fog over the case entails applying evidence on one person (most of it against Daniel Boyd), against all defendants when in fact the prosecution can not substantially prove the relationship between all exited persistently up until the time of the arrest. On the contrary, the prosecution even admits Yaghi and Hasan had no communication with the other defendants, and Anes Subaisac admitted never meeting Yaghi in his life! This case is a disgusting sham, and it is heralded around by enemies of our foreign policy who rightfully criticize our country and government as insincerely desiring peace, domestically and abroad in regards to Muslims. The WOT has implanted a seed within Western minds, a psychosomatic plague, and it is eating at the very foundations of our principles. Indeed, every Muslim American should be terrified of America, we are tip toeing on crackers while the bigots in our government are listening with a stethoscope! I advise every Muslim to stay at home and don't move at all! Injustice lurks around the corner. We'll see you all in the supreme court! Have a good day :)

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