United States Attorney Chuck Rosenberg Eastern District of Virginia
News Release
For Immediate Release Wednesday, March 29, 2006  WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/VAE	Contact: Kim Williams PHONE:703-842-4050 FAX: 703-549-5202

AHMED OMAR ABU ALI SENTENCED TO PRISON ON TERRORISM CHARGES

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA - Ahmed Omar Abu Ali was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee, to 30 years in prison followed by 30 years of supervised release, announced Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. A jury previously found Abu Ali, 25, of Falls Church, Virginia, guilty of (1) conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (al-Qaeda); (2) providing material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (al-Qaeda); (3) conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists; (4) providing material support to terrorists; (5) contribution of services to al-Qaeda; (6) receipt of funds and services from al-Qaeda; (7) conspiracy to assassinate the President of the United States; (8) conspiracy to commit air piracy; and (9) conspiracy to destroy aircraft.

The evidence at trial proved that Abu Ali had joined an al-Qaeda cell in Saudi Arabia; that he received training from members of the cell in weapons, explosives, and document forgery; plotted with senior al-Qaeda operatives to personally carry out the assassination of the President; engaged in a conspiracy to hijack and destroy civilian airliners in a scheme substantially similar to that of September 11, 2001; and researched nuclear power facilities in the United States at the behest of a senior al-Qaeda operative.

"The Abu Ali prosecution is a milestone achievement in the international effort to bring terrorists to justice," said Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty. "Today's sentence is strong punishment for the defendant's egregious crimes. It is important that Abu Ali remain behind bars until he is no longer a threat to the American people. I commend the investigative and prosecution teams for their excellent work."

Assistant United States Attorneys David H. Laufman and Stephen M. Campbell, Department of Justice Trial Attorney Jerry R. DeMaio, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Mala Tusk prosecuted the case for the United States. The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Washington Field Office.

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