Muslim cleric convicted in Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 26 (UPI) -- A Virginia Muslim cleric, who told his followers to go to Afghanistan to help the Taliban fight U.S. forces, was convicted Tuesday in a terrorism case.

Ali al-Timimi was convicted in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., on all 10 counts of an indictment, including soliciting others to levy war against the United States and contributing services to Afghanistan's former Taliban rulers, the Washington Post reported.

Prosecutors said they expect to obtain a life sentence.

U.S. Attorney Paul McNulty, who called the verdict a victory in the war on terrorism, called al-Timimi "a kingpin of hate against America."

"He not only wanted Americans to die, he recruited others to his cause at a time when our country was mourning the loss of more than 3,000 people who were murdered in a heinous act of terrorism," McNulty said in a statement.

Al-Timimi's lawyer, Edward MacMahon, said his client would appeal.

"We're obviously disappointed in the verdict. We'll continue to fight," he said. "They basically tried the guy for 9/11. He had nothing to do with that," CNN reported.

Prosecutors said three of Timimi's followers traveled to Pakistan and received military training, but never went to Afghanistan.

Timimi was allowed to remain free on bail until his July 13 sentencing.