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Muslim Cleric Arrested in Britain

When we last checked in with James Ujaama, the Denver native charged in Seattle with trying to establish an al-Qaeda training camp in Bly, Oregon, he had pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the Government in exchange for reduced charges and a two year sentence. The charges of trying to set up a terror camp were dropped, and he pleaded to furnishing money, computer equipment and a recruit to the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Thursday, Muslim Cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri, who has one eye and hooks for hands, was arrested in Britain on charges of trying to set up an al-Qaeda training camp in Bly, Oregon. He is also charged in the murder of four tourists in Yemen in a 1998 incident. The U.S. is seeking his extradition and has agreed with Britain not to seek the death penalty against him. Al Masri's London mosque was allegedly attended by Richard Reid, the "shoe-bomber" and Zacarias Moussoui.

Ujaama's sentence should be up about now. From our April 14, 2003 post:

Ujaama pleaded guilty Monday to providing cash, computers and fighters to the Taliban. In exchange, he has agreed to cooperate against radical London cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri. He will receive a two year jail sentence. With credit for the time he has has spent in jail since July 22, he will serve about one more year after being sentenced.

Here's what Ujaama agreed he did:

Ujaama ran a Web site for Abu Hamza called the Supporters of Shariah. In court today he admitted that he "urged others to donate money, goods and services to Taliban-sponsored programs and to charitable programs in the territory of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban." Moreover, he escorted a man from the Finsbury Park mosque in London, where Abu Hamza had been the imam, to an al-Qaida terrorist training camp in Afghanistan.

Here's what Ujaama agreed to do:

He has agreed to provide information to federal prosecutors, the U.S. military and foreign governments. He agreed to testify anywhere he is told to, including at the military detention camp in Guantánamo Bay. ...His agreement to cooperate will extend for as long as 10 years. If he breaks his agreement, the government can reinstate other terrorism charges, which carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison.

Ujaama had visions for a perfect Islam state. You can read about his beliefs here. A federal judge in Seattle, in denying him bail, commented on his exemplary character. The New York Times asked, was he a terrorist or a hustler?

Sounds like Ujaama will be very busy the next few years working for the Government.

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