American in Al Qaeda charged with Treason

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/92793,...treas12.article

Californian accused of treason

 

October 12, 2006

LOS ANGELES -- The charge of treason was used for the first time in the United States' war on terrorism Wednesday, filed against a California man who appeared in propaganda videos for al-Qaida.

Adam Yehiye Gadahn, 28, could be sentenced to death if convicted of the charge, which has been used only a few dozen times in U.S. history and not at all since the World War II era.

 

He also was indicted on a charge of providing material support to terrorists.

 

Gadahn ''knowingly adhered to an enemy of the United States, namely, al-Qaida, and gave al-Qaida aid and comfort ... with intent to betray the United States,'' according to the indictment.

 

The suspected al-Qaida operative has been sought by the FBI since 2004. Based on the indictment, the FBI added Gadahn to its list of most wanted terrorists and offered a $1 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

 

Gadahn, who is believed to be in or near Pakistan, is suspected of having attended the terrorist group's training camps in Pakistan and serving as one of its translators.

 

He has become known by his nom de guerre, Azzam al-Amriki, or ''Azzam the American.''