ASSOCIATED PRESS
A College Park man has been charged with conspiracy to help a terrorist group, part of an investigation of the “Virginia jihad network” that so far has resulted in 10 convictions, U.S. law-enforcement officials said yesterday.
Ali Asad Chandia is named in a four-count indictment saying he conspired to provide material support to the Lashkar-e-Taiba group, which the U.S. designated a terrorist group in 2001.
Mr. Chandia was arrested Thursday at his home, Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher said.
The indictment was returned Wednesday and unsealed yesterday after Mr. Chandia’s arrest.
Mohammed Ajmal Khan of Coventry, England, who prosecutors said is a senior official in Lashkar-e-Taiba, an Islamic rebel group fighting for independence in the India-controlled portion of Kashmir, is also charged.
Mr. Khan is in custody in England.
Ali al-Timimi, who authorities called the spiritual leader of the Virginia jihad network, was sentenced to life in prison in July after being convicted of soliciting treason and other charges.
Prosecutors said al-Timimi wielded enormous influence among a group of young Muslim men in Northern Virginia who played paintball games in 2000 and 2001 in preparation for holy war around the globe.
Nine other members of the group have been convicted for their roles in the conspiracy, with prison terms ranging from three years to life.
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