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CNN Live Today

Feds Charge Syrian-Born American with Lying About Links to Terrorism

Aired April 30, 2002 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Federal officials arrested a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Syria and charged him with lying about alleged links to terrorism and Osama bin Laden. Kelli Arena in Washington, tracking this for us. Kelli, what do you have?

KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, federal agents have arrested the director of the Illinois-based charity. It's called the Benevolence International Foundation. It happens to be one of the top five Muslim charities in the United States.

Now, it's director, Enaam Arnaout, is accused of having direct links to Osama bin Laden. And he's charged with lying about that relationship. The government says that that relationship dates back more than a decade and he allegedly used the charity to help bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network with logistical support, and to move money to fund its operations.

The government also contends that Arnaout had contact with a key bin Laden associate, a man by the name of Mandu Salim (ph), who allegedly participated in efforts to obtain nuclear and chemical weapons for al Qaeda -- Bill.

HEMMER: Kelli Arena watching that, thank you very much.

ARENA: You're welcome.

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