Masjid As-Salam mosque leaders sentenced (Albany, NY)

Photo: Yassin Aref, 34, is former imam of Masjid As-Salam mosque.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Two leaders of an Albany mosque who were snared in an FBI sting involving a fictional terror strike were sentenced Thursday to 15 years in federal prison.

The former imam, Yassin Aref, professed innocence before his sentencing and criticized the government's treatment of Muslims. "I never had any intention to harm anyone in this country," said Aref, a 36-year-old Kurdish refugee. "And I don't know why I'm guilty." +

Pizzeria owner Mohammed Hossain, a founder of the Masjid As-Salam mosque, said in a voice choked with emotion that he knew nothing about bombs and terrorism. "I do not know why it was me who was chosen. I was not a criminal," he said. "I was not even thinking of committing a crime."

The two were convicted in October for their roles in a money laundering scheme involving an FBI informant who posed as an illegal arms dealer. The informant asked Hossain to launder $50,000 from the sale of a shoulder-fired missile from China that would be used to kill a Pakistani diplomat in New York City, authorities said. Source: Fox News.

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Sgt. Anthony Haas. right, of Seguin, TX., of the 6-9 squadron, 3rd brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, and Iraqi soldiers rest during a routine patrol Muqdadiyah, Iraq, 90 kilometers (60 miles) north of Baghdad, Friday, March 9, 2007. Associated Press © 2007


Soldiers of the 6-9 squadron, 3rd brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, inspect a motorcycle for explosives just outside Muqdadiyah, Iraq, 90 kilometers (60 miles) north of Baghdad, Friday, March 9, 2007. Associated Press © 2007

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