Convicted terror backers claim innocence

MIAMI, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Two defendants in the Jose Padilla terror trial Friday told a judge at their sentencing in Miami they were never involved in terror plots or attacks.

Adham Hassoun and Kifah Jayyousi told U.S. Judge Marcia Cooke they were merely trying to aid fellow Muslims during conflicts in Bosnia and Chechnya and were never associated with terror groups like al-Qaida.

However, prosecutors during the months-long trial that ended in August convinced jurors otherwise. The jury found Padilla, Hassoun and Jayyousi guilty of aiding an al-Qaida group based in the United States by supplying them with supplies and funds for Muslim extremists abroad.

All three men could face life in prison. The judge is expected to announce sentences Tuesday.