San Diego, CA – Four men from Somalia – Basaaly Saeed Moalin, Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud, Issa Doreh and Ahmed Nasiri Taalil Mohamud – accused of raising money to help the Somali resistance group al Shabaab, were convicted of material support for terrorism-related charges here, Feb. 22. The defendants are facing maximum sentences that range from between 65 to 80 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 16.

USAID head Rajiv Shah visited Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia, Feb. 21. There he met with the Western-backed president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Despite U.S. claims of victory over the Islamist resistance group al-Shabaab, Shah never left the airport complex due to security concerns.

Washington, DC – State Department head Hillary Clinton announced Jan. 17 that the U.S. was extending formal recognition to the government of Somalia. The announcement took place during a visit of the Western-backed Somali president, Hassan Sheikh, to Washington D.C.

Somalis face New York City trial

Brooklyn, NY – Three men from Somalia, Ali Yasin Ahmed, Madhi Hashi and Mohamed Yusuf, appeared in Federal District Court here, Dec. 21, on charges of violating U.S. “material support for terrorism” and gun laws. What makes this case different from the dozens of U.S. cases involving Somali men and women in Minnesota, California and other states is that there is no indication the men are U.S. residents or citizens, or that they have ever traveled to the U.S.

Minneapolis, MN – The jury in the case of Mahamud Said Omar returned a guilty verdict on five terrorism related charges this afternoon, Oct. 18. Omar stands accused of helping the Somali resistance group al Shabab in its efforts to fight the U.S.-backed Ethiopian invasion of Somalia. He faces life in prison.

Minneapolis, MN – The case of Mahamud Said Omar went to the jury, Oct. 17, with prosecution and defense attorneys making their concluding arguments. Given the prosecution never made a case against Omar, the defense rested without calling any witnesses. Omar is accused of helping the Somali resistance group al Shabab.

Minneapolis, MN – The trial of Mahamud Said Omar continued here Oct. 15, with the prosecution and their witness, FBI agent Kiann VanDenover going all out to get a conviction against Mahamud Said Omar. Omar, who has done nothing wrong, is facing terrorism charges for allegedly helping the Somali resistance against the 2007 invasion of Ethiopia.

Minneapolis, MN – The trial of Mohamud Said Omar continued here today, Oct. 10, at the Federal Court building, with testimony from self-confessed liar Kamal Said Hassan. While being questioned on the stand, prosecution witness Hassan admitted that he had lied while under oath in previous court proceedings. Other key prosecution witnesses have admitted that they can avoid jail time based on how well they do in helping the government put people in prison.

Minneapolis, MN – The trial of Mahamud Said Omar entered its second week here, Oct. 9, with the prosecution putting Joint Terrorism Task Force officer Martin Siebenaler on the stand. Siebenaler opened up a gun case and pulled out an AK-47 machine gun. Siebenaler then proceeded to say that the gun, which came from an ATF collection, was “most similar to” the weapons used by young resistance fighters in Somalia.

Minneapolis, MN – Another attempt by the Justice Department to imprison Somalis who care about the future of their country was in full swing here, Oct. 5, as the trial of Mahamud Said Omar concluded for the week. The trial, which is taking place at the downtown Federal Court building and began Oct. 1, could continue until the end of the month. The government claims that Omar helped Somalis travel to Somalia to help resist the invasion by neighboring Ethiopia.