Last week the government began its case against alleged Hamas operatives, Mohammed Salah and Abdelhaleem al-Ashqar (and Hamas Deputy Political Chief Mousa Abu Marzook who was charged in absentia). The trial is expected three months and former New York Times reporter Judith Miller is scheduled to testify on behalf of the prosecution. A few months before the trial began, al-Ashqar hired William Moffitt, who represented Sami al-Arian, so the prosecution can probably expect a similar defense strategy of, amongst other tactics, twisting material support for a terrorist organization as protected under the First Amendment. IPT Analyst Scott Rosenbaum has been following the case in the Northern District of Illinois and below are the links to his coverage of the trial:
Opening Statement of the Government
Opening Statement of Michael Deutsch, Mohammed Salah's lawyer
Opening Statement of William Moffitt, Abdelhaleem al-Ashqar's lawyer
Cross-posted at Counterterrorism Blog.