An Ohio husband and wife pleaded guilty Monday to charges of conspiring to send hundreds of thousands of dollars to Lebanon's Shiite militant group Hezbollah, US prosecutors said. Hor Akl and his wife, Amera Akl, both 38, entered their guilty pleas in a US federal court in Ohio, as part of an agreement with prosecutors to seek reduced sentences.
US authorities said the couple had agreed to pack a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer with more than $200,000 cash intended for Hezbollah, which the United States has classified as a foreign terrorist organisation. Prosecutors said the Akls conspired with an FBI undercover operative between August 2009 and June 2010.
Hor Akl "understood the funds would be sent to a designated terrorist organisation and used to target Israel," prosecutors said in a statement announcing the pleas. They agreed to hide the money in the vehicle, which was to be shipped to Lebanon. The FBI operative delivered $200,000 to the Akls on June 3, 2010 and told them he would return later with more money.
Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organisation. Hor Akl also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate money laundering laws, perjury and two counts of bankruptcy fraud. Their sentencing hearing is scheduled for later this year.
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