Ohio Imam Convicted for Lying About Connections to Terrorist Groups

September 20, 2004

Source: Yahoo! News

Wire Service: AP

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040920/ap_on_re_us/imam_sentenced_2

On September 20, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "The leader of Ohio's largest mosque was sentenced Monday to two months in federal prison and four months of house arrest for lying about his connections to terrorist groups when he applied for U.S. citizenship. Palestinian-born Fawaz Damra, imam of the Islamic Center of Cleveland, could have received up to five years in prison on the charge of obtaining U.S. citizenship in 1994 by providing false information. Sentencing guidelines for first-time offenders called for probation to six months in prison. Prosecutors had requested the maximum sentence. U.S. District Judge James S. Gwin did not comment on why he opted for the lesser sentence. Prosecutors also urged Gwin to immediately revoke Damra's citizenship, but Damra's attorneys asked him Gwin not to void Damra's U.S. citizenship until after the appeal, which could take years. Gwin did not immediately rule on the question or on whether Damra should be deported. Prosecutors say the law requires deportation for such a crime."