WASHINGTON (JTA) — The owner of a satellite television company pleaded guilty to aiding Hezbollah by broadcasting the terrorist group’s Al-Manar station.
Javed Iqbal of New York entered his plea Tuesday in Manhattan federal court to charges of providing material aid to a terrorist organization, according to news reports.
Prosecutors said Iqbal’s company, HDTV Ltd., transmitted broadcasts of Al-Manar to customers in exchange for payment from the channel. The U.S. government named Al-Manar a terrorist organization in 2006 for its support of Hezbollah activities.
Iqbal will be sentenced March 14. His alleged partner in the crime, Saleh Elahwal, will go on trial Jan. 5 on similar charges.
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