By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Two Brooklyn men have been indicted on charges they conspired to provide al Qaeda, the terrorist organization responsible for the September 11 attacks, with "computer advice and assistance," federal prosecutors said Friday.
Wesam El-Hanafi, 33, and Sabirhan Hasanoff, 34, both U.S. citizens, each face a single count of conspiracy for allegedly providing support to a foreign terrorist organization in an attempt to help "modernize" the organization.
El-Hanafi traveled to Yemen in February 2008 to receive instructions from al Qaeda operatives and to swear an "oath of allegiance" to the international terrorist organization before coming back to New York to purchase Casio watches and internet software for al Qaeda.
Hasanoff, who had dual citizenship in the U.S. and Australia, came to New York in August 2008 and allegedly provided "computer systems expertise" to the organization.
The two were arraigned in a Virginia federal court but the case will be transferred to Manhattan at a later date. Each face up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted.
"The case's nexus to New York City serves as another reminder that we remain vigilant to the possibility of supporters of al Qaeda returning to New York," said NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.
