Hamas condemns US courtverdicts

Deputy political leader of Gaza-based Palestinian government, Hamas, Moussa Abu Marzouk, slammed as politically motivated and unjust the prison sentences handed down by a US Court to members of a Muslim charity that sent aid to the group.

He said two of the men who were sentenced were relatives of the group's top leader, Khaled Mashaal.

Two leaders of what was once the largest Muslim charity in the United States were sentenced to 65 years in jail Wednesday for supporting Palestinian resistance movements.

The Texas-based Holy Land Foundation and five of its leaders were prosecuted late last year for giving more than 12 million
dollars to Hamas.

Holy Land chief executive officer Shukri Abu Baker, whose brother Jamal Issa is the head of Hamas operations in Yemen, was sentenced to 65 years in jail.
Chairman and cofounder Ghassan Elashi, who is related by marriage to Hamas political leader Mousa Abu Marzook, received the same sentence.
"I would like to declare my innocence of all the charges," said Elashi, who called the case an unjust political
prosecution.

Holy Land cofounder Mohammad El-Mezain, a cousin of Marzook, and Abdulrahman Odeh, the charity's New Jersey representative, both received 15 years. The two men declared they were innocent in remarks to the judge and courtroom.

Fundraiser Mufid Abdulqader, brother of Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal, received 20 years.

"I do acknowledge the verdict in this trial," Abdulqader said during the sentencing hearing. "I believe in the system. My faith has not been shaken, it's been inspired. But it is un-American to ignore suffering and starving women and children."