Everyone needs warm clothing, right? Well, two New York City men are now facing criminal charges after police say they tried to send winter gear overseas. But this wasn’t your typical Salvation Army clothing drive.
NYPD detectives say Humayoun Nabi and Ismail Alsarabbi tried to send coats and other winter clothes to Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. (Via The Atlantic)
It’s an offense a district attorney says is just as serious as supplying bullets and bombs.
The men were arrested as a part of a two-year investigation started by a confidential informant who knew them. According to a statement, Nabi admitted that he hates the United States, Jewish people and U.S. soldiers. (Via New York Magazine)
The informant apparently worked with the NYPD in a sting operation. Detectives provided money, which the informant gave to Nabi. Authorities say Nabi then tried to send that money to his father in Pakistan for "merchandise in Afghanistan." (Via CNN)
According to the informant, Nabi told him: "The source of the Americans' strength is their equipment, specifically good jackets, good goggles, good GPS. We are sitting here breathing in peace, eating chicken and roasts and our brothers, they are dying." (Via Jewish Press)
That was enough for police to arrest the two and charge them with soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism and conspiracy. They are being held on $500,000 bond.
"There's people that live amongst us, benefit from our culture and our environment and still harbor very ill feelings against us." (Via WLNY)
The attorney for the two men accused the NYPD of entrapment. He says the charges against the two are outrageous and wouldn't have been possible without the informant's deception. (Via NBC)
The two face up to seven years in prison if they are convicted.
- See more at Newsy.com
About the Author
