Enaam Arnaout

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Enaam Arnaout is an American of Syrian descent, who pleaded guilty to subverting charitable donations.^[1] Arnaout was the director of the Benevolence International Foundation, a charity accused of ties to terrorism.^[2]

On November 19, 2002, the group was classified as a terrorist group funder by the United States Department of Treasury.^[3]

During a sentencing hearing in August 2003, U.S. District Judge Suzanne Conlon told prosecutors they had “failed to connect the dots” and said there was no evidence that Arnaout “identified with or supported” terrorism. ^[4]

Arnaout entered into a plea agreement on February 10, 2003.^[5] The Prosecution acknowledged that neither Arnaout of BIF had acted contrary to the interests of the United States. The Prosecution acknowledged that neither Arnaout or BIF had any ties to Osama bin Laden or Al Qaeda. Arnaout's statement of guilt acknowledges subverting on the order of $300,000 to $400,000 of charitable funds to buy boots, uniforms, tents, and an ambulance for Bosnian fighters.

[edit] References

1. ^ Benevolence Int'l Chief Pleads Guilty: Arnaout pleads to lesser charges to avoid facing potentially biased jury, About.com, February 11, 2003
2. ^ Khadr tied to al-Qaeda as far back as 1988, National Post, February 1, 2003 (mirrored on freerepublic)
3. ^ Treasury Designates Benevolence International Foundation and Related Entities as Financiers of Terrorism, US Treasury, November 19, 2002
4. ^ Few convictions on terror since 9/11: Most arrested not linked to extremists, Washington Post, June 12, 2005
5. ^ Statement of Enaam Arnaout: BIF chief pleads guilty to racketeering, releases statement to media and American Muslim community, About.com, February 10, 2003