Calif. Woman Accused of Giving Money to Terrorists

A California woman arrested Friday was in court Monday, accused of providing money and personnel to a terrorist group in Somalia to help carry out killings in the African nation, according to a federal indictment.
     
Nima Ali Yusuf supported al-Shabab, an al-Qaida-linked militia trying to create an Islamic state in Somalia, federal prosecutor Sabrina Feve said.
     
Yusuf (aka Nimco Ali Yusuf, Amina Ahmed and Amina Ali), was the fourth person charged in the past month in San Diego with helping al-Shabab. Authorities described her as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
    
Yusuf was charged in the indictment with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and making a false statement to a government
     
The others charged in San Diego were accused of raising money, then routing the funds to the radical Islamist group. FBI agents arrested Basaaly Saeed Moalin, 33, of San Diego on Oct. 31, just before he was about to board a flight at Lindbergh Field.

The following day, agents arrested Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud, 38, and Issa Doreh, 54, both of San Diego.

The indictment of Moalin alleges that called a prominent military leader with al-Shabaab in late 2007 and 2008. During that time, the leader, Aden Hashi Ayrow, requested Moalin raise money for the group. The indictment also alleges that Moalin coordinated fundraising efforts and money transfers with Mohamud and Doreh including a transfer of $2,000 on Feb. 14, 2008, $3,000 on April 23, 2008, and about $4,000 in several transfers in July 2008.
     
Federal prosecutors did not provide further details on the allegations againste Yusuf.
     
Since 2007, roughly 20 men have left Minnesota to fight with al-Shabab. It wasn't immediately clear from the indictment whether Yusuf was connected to those men.
     
Yusuf was also charged with making a false statement to an FBI agent and Customs and Border Protection officer when she allegedly denied sending money to anyone in Somalia in the past year.
     
Three other people were arrested in St. Louis and Minnesota this month for also allegedly supporting the radical Islamist group.