UK woman convicted of funding terrorism in Syria

LONDON (AP) — A woman accused of asking a friend to smuggle cash to her husband — an alleged jihadi fighter in Syria — has been found guilty of funding terrorism.

Prosecutors say 27-year-old Amal El-Wahabi tried to get her friend, Nawal Msaad, to hide 20,000 euros ($26,800) in her underwear on a flight from London to Istanbul in January.

Msaad, also 27, agreed do it in return for a payment, but the plan fell apart when she was stopped at Heathrow Airport.

A jury found El-Wahabi guilty Wednesday, making her the first Briton to be convicted under laws banning funding for jihadis in Syria.

Msaad, who denied knowing that the cash was meant for bankrolling terrorism, was cleared of the charge.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up