LOS ANGELES: Pete Seda, the leader of an American branch of a now defunct Islamic charity was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday after a US court convicted him of helping to deliver $150,000 to Saudi Arabia. US District Judge Michael Hogan argued that while there was no doubt that the money went to Islamic fighters in Chechnya, there was not enough evidence to convict Seda to harsher terrorism charges. For that reason, Hogan said he wouldn't apply the so-called “terrorism enhancement” that could have sent Seda to prison for 8 years. Instead, Hogan sentenced Seda to 33 months in prison, ordered him to pay the Internal Revenue Service $80,980 in restitution, and allowed him to remain free for 60 days before reporting. Seda is an American citizen, born in Iran, who was in charge of the US chapter of the al-Haramein Islamic Foundation in Oregon. He has been an outspoken advocate of the peaceful aspects of Islam and his lawyers told reporters that the charges are ridiculous and planned to appeal the sentence. Seda was convicted last year of tax fraud and conspiracy to defraud the government for helping Saudi Arabian national Soliman Al-Buthe convert a contribution from a doctor in England into traveler's checks, which Al-Buthe took with him on a flight to Saudi Arabia without declaring it to authorities. Prosecutors have been unable to force Al-Buthe to return to the US to face the same charges as Seda. Acting US Attorney Dwight Holton said federal prosecutors felt they had proven Seda's connection to terrorism, but respected the court's ruling and were satisfied with the sentence. “Money is the lifeblood of terrorist organizations,” Holton said. “We are working very hard to cut off that lifeline. Shutting down al-Haramain internationally and here was an essential part of that.” BM
