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| Pakistani caught in California terror probe released | | |
Sacramento, Aug 26: A man originally from Pakistan who pleaded guilty earlier this year in a terrorism probe that focused on whether his son attended an al-Qaida training camp in Pakistan has been released from federal custody.
Umer Haat pleaded guilty in may to lying to customs agent about trying to carry USD 28,000 into Pakistan three years ago after a federal jury deadlocked on two charges alleging that he lied to investigators about his son's attendance at the terrorist camp in 2003.
He variously claimed the cash was for wedding gifts or to buy a house for his family. The terrorism-related charges were dismissed as part of his plea agreement.
His son, Hamid Hayat, 23, was convicted on terrorism charges and faces at least 30 years in prison.
Hayat, 48, an ice cream vendor in Lodi, California, has been under house arrest since his plea. He spoke to reporters after he was set free yesterday.
Despite his ordeal, Hayat, a naturalised US citizen, said he loves his adopted country.
"I lost my house and I lost my job, and right now we're living in the garage with my family, which is difficult for us," Hayat, 48, said outside the federal courthouse. "We lost everything for nothing."
Hayat, his son Hamid were arrested in June 2005 and charged with lying to federal agents about whether the younger man attended an al-Qaeda training camp.
Hamid Hayat also was charged with providing support to terrorists for attending the camp. He was convicted in April and is awaiting sentencing.
The same jury dealocked on the charges against his father. |
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