Excerpt
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 14 individuals in three states, at least 7 of whom are U.S. citizens, with offenses relating to providing money, personnel and services to a terrorist organization based in Somalia.
"The indictments unsealed today shed further light on a deadly pipeline that has routed funding and fighters to the al-Shabaab terror organization from cities across the United States," Attorney General Eric Holder said.
Four separate indictments were handed down in federal district courts in California, Alabama and Minnesota. Two of the 14 people charged were arrested.
"These arrests and charges should serve as an unmistakable warning to others considering joining terrorist groups like al-Shabaab - if you choose this route you can expect to find yourself in a U.S. jail cell or a casualty on the battlefield in Somalia," Holder said.
Holder called it a "disturbing trend" that "an increasing number of individuals - including U.S. citizens" have become "captivated by extremist ideology and have taken steps to carry out terrorist objectives, either at home or abroad."
Al-Shabaab is an insurgent Somali group fighting that nation's government and its African Union allies in southern and central Somalia. Al-Shabaab's leaders have expressed solidarity with Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda.
The group has claimed responsibility for many bombings -- including various types of suicide attacks -- in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, typically targeting Somali government officials
Al-Shabaab is responsible for the assassination of Somali peace activists, international aid workers, numerous civil society figures and journalists, according to U.S. officials.
In February 2008, the U.S. government designated al-Shabaab as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
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