TV bosses charged over al-Manar
Terrorism charges are brought against two men for airing Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV.
Lawyers for both men did not comment. The men are due to appear again on January 8.
‘Recruitment activities’
The US treasury department froze the US assets of al-Manar, the Lebanon-based channel in March, saying it supported the fund-raising and recruitment activities of Hezbollah.
Iqbal, a Pakistani who moved to the US 24 years ago and lives in New York, was arrested and first charged in August with providing satellite customers with the Hezbollah-operated channel.
Al-Manar regularly airs speeches by Hassan Nasrallah, |
Court documents said Elahwal, who lives in New Jersey, and Iqbal were paid by al-Manar more than $111,000 between December and March.
The channel provided wide coverage of the war between Hezbollah and Israel last summer, broadcasting exclusive footage shot by Hezbollah fighters. It was attacked by Israeli air strikes during the 34-day war.