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Last update - 02:08 29/05/2008 U.S. trial set for two men accused of aiding Hezbollah By Reuters Tags: Hezbollah, U.S., Lebanon  Two men accused of agreeing to broadcast the Hezbollah television channel al-Manar to U.S. customers will face trial on terrorism charges in January, a U.S. judge ruled on Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Richard Berman set Jan. 5, 2009, as the trial date for Javed Iqbal, 44 and Saleh Elahwal, 55, in what defense lawyers said was one of the more unusual terrorism cases moving through U.S. courts. Iqbal was arrested and initially charged in August 2006 on allegations he negotiated on behalf of his Brooklyn-based company HDTV Ltd with representatives of the Beirut-based al-Manar network to air the channel in America. Advertisement In the summer of 2006, Israel waged a 34-day war against Hezbollah after the Lebanese guerilla group kidnapped two Israel Defense Forces soldiers in a cross-border raid. Iqbal, a Pakistani who moved to the United States more than 25 years ago, and Elahwal, who lives in New Jersey and who prosecutors say also operated HDTV, were indicted three months later. Initial court documents said they were paid more than 111,000 euros by al-Manar between December 2005 and March 2006. Both men have been released on bail after pleading not guilty to 11 charges, including providing satellite services to al-Manar, providing support to Hezbollah and violating the United Nations Participation Act of 1945. If convicted on all the charges, they each face a combined maximum of more than 100 years in prison. Hezbollah, an Iranian- and Syrian-backed Shi'ite guerilla group in Lebanon, was designated by the U.S. Secretary of State as a terrorist organization in 1997. The U.S. Treasury branded al-Manar a terrorist organization in March 2006, saying it supported Hezbollah's fund-raising and recruitment activities. Elahwal's lawyer, Ed Sapone, said little precedent had been set for a case that centered on accusations of supporting terrorism by providing satellite communications. Iqbal's lawyer was unavailable for comment. "These are uncommon charges even in a climate given which terrorism is being prosecuted throughout the country," said Sapone. "It is uncommon for the government to charge the [terrorism] material support element as being satellite services." The men face similar penalties and charges as those accused of aiding actual attack plots by groups such as al Qaeda. Related articles: Thai satellite company stops airing Hezbollah TV broadcasts Balloons released in Israeli promotion sow panic in south Lebanon Nasrallah: Lebanon war crushed U.S. vision for 'new Middle East' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Slamming Obama McCain uses speech to AIPAC to criticize Obama for willingness to meet U.S. foes. Soldier kidnapping Three Israeli Arabs charged with planning to kidnap, kill soldier.   1.   Hmm did they also give Rachel Ray the kaffiyeh? 03:02  |  Aphemia 29/05/08   2.   Thank God they were stopped - this time 05:37  |  Mark Marshall 29/05/08   3.   Understanding the Case 05:38  |  Mark of Lewiston 29/05/08   4.   Hey Na-zi-ralla any plan to kidnap Americans to exchange prisoner 07:48  |  Dan 29/05/08   5.   Y`know, most Americans actually believe 18:32  |  Che Vive 29/05/08   6.   #5, Che...you are completely wrong! 17:55  |  DR 30/05/08   7.   Aphema 01:12  |  Paul 31/05/08   8.   Free people 01:14  |  Paul 31/05/08   9.   no bail for terrorists. 18:47  |  frenz 31/05/08   10.   the judge is jewish and should be disqualified 23:12  |  US constitution lawy 01/06/08   11.   Thats weird 22:14  |  Sami 03/06/08

Read & React Housing Min.: Olmert backed move to build new homes in E. J'lem Responses: 203 Egypt tries to thwart EU pact to upgrade Israel trade ties Responses: 156 Assad: Israel must cede Syrian land 'stretching to Tiberias' Responses: 138 U.S. imam fighting deportation talks of torture by Israel Responses: 85 Natalie Portman to pitch Jewish-funded Rwanda youth village Responses: 59 Rosner's Domain Americans want talks with Iranian leadership (WTR) Obama leads in Lieberman land (WTR) McCain has been hammering at Obama Guest: Why educate child as Jew when he is not Jewish? Poll: What political option is better for Israel? More Headlines 21:58 PMO denies report Syria-Israel talks set to resume Thursday 22:04 IAF strikes Gaza after Qassams wound five people in Negev 17:10 In war of words, Livni brands Iran the 'neighborhood bully' 21:27 Barak: Hezbollah setting up fortified positions along border 21:33 Effort to soften harsh portrayal of Jews in Palestinian textbooks reversed by Hamas regime 20:00 Clinton gives Obama a fight until the last possible minute 20:59 Rice: U.S. will cooperate with Israel on missile defense system in face of Iranian threat 09:55 Natalie Portman to pitch Jewish-funded youth village in Rwanda 13:50 Settlers rebuild Hebron outpost after IDF razes it for 32nd time 16:03 Syria says it wants nuclear energy under Arab umbrella 19:20 Report: Evacuate residents within 5 km of Ramat Hovav industrial zone 17:19 Israel gives PA permission to open 3 police stations in West Bank 14:55 Norway court acquits 3 defendants accused of plotting attacks against Israeli, U.S. embassies Previous Editions Select Day 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may

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