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Purpose Of YouTube Video Argued In Mohamed Case
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Published: March 25, 2008
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TAMPA - Federal prosecutors are defending a terrorism-related charge against a former University of South Florida student, saying the student's Internet video was intended to provoke violent acts.
Attorneys for Ahmed Mohamed have filed a motion asking that a judge dismiss a charge that he tried to help terrorists by teaching or demonstrating the use of explosives. The defense maintains that Mohamed's YouTube video was protected by the First Amendment.
In the meantime, the defense has lost another round: U.S. Magistrate Mark Pizzo ruled that the prosecution does not have to provide more specific information about the terrorism-related charge to the defense. Mohamed's attorneys had argued that the government had to specify which terrorist group he was trying to help, for example, but prosecutors successfully argued that the defense had been provided sufficient information.
Authorities allege Mohamed posted a YouTube video in which he shows how to use a remote-controlled toy to detonate a bomb.
In the video, according to a prosecution court filing, "Mohamed instructed listeners on how to manipulate a toy car's circuitry to supply electricity 'to the detonator.' He further showed modifications of the remote control in a way that 'it will ignite the detonator' and thus 'make an explosion from a distance.' He praised the effort as one which would aid a 'brother' to carry out operations but not end up by 'blowing himself up.' He meant by this modification to 'increase Muslim lives one more life' so that 'the jihadists can have an additional mujahid.' "
The defense disputes this depiction of the video and immediately filed a motion asking for permission to reply to the government's response to its motion to dismiss. "Given the government's response, misstatements concerning so-called quotes from the YouTube video contained therein, and arguments, Mr. Mohamed respectfully requests the opportunity to submit a reply addressing those arguments," the defense filing states.
The prosecution maintains that the video was a practical – not theoretical – action specifically intended to help jihadists fight U.S. forces without killing themselves.
"In a post-arrest statement on August 29, 2007, Mohamed further explained the reason for the recording and for uploading it to the world wide web," the prosecution wrote. "In that interview, he admitted that he had made the video so that 'those brothers' in Arabic countries could use the knowledge which he provided to them in that video against the infidels and invaders of their countries. He further identified American military forces as among that category of targets."
Mohamed was arrested in South Carolina on Aug. 4 along with fellow student Youssef Megahed. In addition to the terrorism-charge against Mohamed, both Egyptian nationals were charged with illegally transporting explosives.
Megahed and Mohamed are set to go on trial for the explosives charge April 28, and Mohamed is scheduled to go on trial for the terrorism-related charge May 12.
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