An Indian man was on Monday sent to jail for 27 and a half years in the United States for giving thousands of dollars to the al-Qaeda and plotting to kill the judge who was hearing his case, the US Department of Justice said.
The 39-year-old man, Yahya Farooq Mohammad, pleaded guilty to the two charges.
“He threatened the safety of our citizens, a judge and the independent judiciary,” said Attorney Justin Herdman. “Now he is being held accountable.”
Mohammad, who lives in Ohio, was charged with sending funds to al-Qaeda leader Anwar Al-Awlaki and offering an inmate $15,000 (around Rs 9.75 lakh) to murder the judge. He will be deported from the US when he completes his sentence.
Three other accused, including Mohammad’s brother, are awaiting trial after they earlier pleaded not guilty. The four were indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2015.
“The National Security Division’s highest priority is counterterrorism, and we will continue to pursue justice against those who provide material support to terrorists and those who seek to harm members of our judiciary,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente.
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