16 May 2011 VOA News Muhammed Sher Ali Khan and Izhar Khan have appeared in a U.S. federal court for the first time since their arrests on charges of conspiracy and providing material support to terrorists.
Pakistan-born Hafiz Muhammed Sher Ali Khan, a Muslim cleric, and his 24-year-old son Izhar Khan were ordered to return to the Miami court on May 23. The defense lawyer for Hafiz Khan said his client will plead not guilty to the charges.
They are among six people indicted on charges that they conspired to provide money and support to the Pakistani Taliban, which is considered a terrorist organization by the United States.
Another of Khan's sons, Irfan Khan, 37,
The other three accused include the elder Khan's daughter, Amina Khan, and her son, Alam Zeb. Ali Rehman is the third Pakistani named in the indictment. All three reside in Pakistan.
U.S. authorities allege that the six used an elaborate system of bank accounts and wire transfers to funnel $50,000 to Pakistan to support militants and their families and to buy weapons.
In addition, the U.S. says Hafiz Khan operated a madrassa, or Islamic school in Swat, Pakistan that housed militants and taught children how to kill Americans in Afghanistan.
All six suspects have been accused of conspiring to murder, maim and kidnap people overseas and provide financial assistance to the Pakistani Taliban, a group that opposes the Pakistani government and has claimed responsibility for attacks against U.S. interests.
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