WINNIPEG — A former University of Manitoba student has been charged with supporting terrorism.
680 CJOB has obtained a statement and court documents from the US Department of Justice.
It says Muhanad Mahmoud Al Farekh has been charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.
He is alleged to have provided personnel to support efforts to kill American citizens and members of the US military abroad.
In 2007, Al Farekh and two other University of Manitoba students allegedly left Winnipeg for Pakistan.
An affidavit filed in US District Court says a witness who was close to Al Farekh told an FBI agent that before they left, the trio often watch videos that encouraged violent jihad and talked about the need for jihad.
In early 2007, Al Farekh allegedly told the witness he would be travelling to Pakistan on business. When the witness drove the three to a store to stock up for the trip, they bought mountain boots. Shortly after that, the three disappeared.
The witness said they sold off all of their belongings, disconnected their cell phones and left without alerting family.
The affidavit says airline and travel records show the three traveled to Pakistan using round trip tickets and tourist visas, but none of them used their return tickets.
Based on the documents and what we know, it’s unclear exactly what role Al Farekh played in Pakistan.
Al Farekh is a US citizen originally from Texas. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
He appeared in a US courtroom Thursday.
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