Muslim pair sentenced for roles in 'Virginia jihad'

Saturday, April 10, 2004

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Two American Muslims accused of training for holy war against the United States by waging paintball battles in the Virginia woods were sentenced Friday to 15 years or more in prison. Randall Todd Royer, 31, and Ibrahim al-Hamdi, 26, were among nine men who either pleaded guilty or were convicted of charges related to their participation in what prosecutors called a "Virginia jihad network." Two others were acquitted on all counts. The group used paintball games in 2000 and 2001 as military training in preparation for holy war against nations deemed hostile to Islam, prosecutors say. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, several members went to Pakistan with the goal of joining the Taliban and fighting U.S. troops.

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