Minn. women face Oct. 3 trial on terror charge

Ali and Hassan
Amina Farah Ali, in navy blue, and Hawo Mohamed Hassan, in the copper-colored hijab, walk to the federal courthouse in downtown St. Paul, where they were arraigned in August 2010, as seen in a file photo. Both women pleaded not guilty to charges of providing material support to terrorism.
MPR File Photo/Laura Yuen

A trial date has been set for two Rochester women accused of sending money to a terror group in Somalia.

Amina Farah Ali and Hawo Mohamed Hassan will face trial Oct. 3 on multiple charges, including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Prosecutors say they collected money in the name of charity, but then routed the funds to al-Shabab.

The women say they are innocent.

At a hearing Thursday, Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Davis set the trial date and took several defense requests under advisement. Among other things, defense attorneys are asking that the women be tried separately. They are also asking that some statements Ali made to authorities be left out of the trial.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.