American tells about al-Qaida training at NY trial
NEW YORK (AP) — An American who trained at an al-Qaida camp in Afghanistan months before the Sept. 11 attacks has testified for the government in its conspiracy case against the terrorist group's former spokesman.
The witness, Sahim Alwan, was called Thursday to testify against Sulaiman Abu Ghaith. Abu Ghaith is charged with conspiring to kill Americans and conspiring to support al-Qaida.
Alwan pleaded guilty in 2003 to providing support to al-Qaida and served most of a 9½-year prison sentence. He says he was testifying Thursday because he was subpoenaed by the government.
The 41-year-old Alwan says he was born in Buffalo, New York, but went to Afghanistan with three others after meeting them at a mosque in neighboring Lackawanna, where he grew up.
Presentation of evidence began Wednesday in the trial.
