Department of Justice Press Release

For Immediate Release
April 30, 2009 United States Attorney's Office
Central District of Illinois
Contact: (217) 492-4450

Ali Al-Marri Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Al-Qaeda

WASHINGTON—Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, 43, a dual national of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to al-Qaeda, Attorney General Eric Holder announced today.

Al-Marri entered his guilty plea at a hearing this afternoon before Judge Michael M. Mihm in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. In so doing, al-Marri admitted that he agreed with others to provide material support or resources to al-Qaeda in the form of personnel, including himself, to work under al-Qaeda’s direction and control with the intent to further the terrorist activity or terrorism objectives of al-Qaeda.

Judge Mihm scheduled sentencing for July 30, 2009. At sentencing, al-Marri faces up to 15 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment.

“Without a doubt, this case is a grim reminder of the seriousness of the threat we as a nation still face,â€