Monday, October 15, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Minnesota man accused of helping supply fighters to a terror group in Somalia had frequent contact with several men before and after they made the trip from the U.S. in 2008.
That's according to witness testimony Monday during the federal trial of Mahamud Said (mah-hah-MOOD' sy-EED') Omar. He's facing several terror-related counts for allegedly helping the men travel.
FBI agent Kasey Villarell (vill-uh-RELl') testified that Omar had some 420 phone contacts with six men in late summer and fall of 2008. Villarell says the number of contacts spiked right before each man left for Somalia.
However, she didn't testify on the content of the phone calls and text messages.
The men are among more than 20 young men who investigators believe left Minnesota in recent years to join al-Shabab.