Trial begins for women accused of fundraising for al-Shabab

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The federal trial of two women accused of raising money for the Somali terrorist group al-Shabab has begun with one of the women admitting she supported the group. But her lawyer says the government can’t prove she ever gave money to them.

Thirty-six-year-old Muna Osman Jamaof Reston and 46-year-old Hinda Osman Dhirane of Kent, Washington, were charged back in 2014 with providing material support to terrorists by funneling small amounts of money – less than $5,000 – to al-Shabab, an al-Qaida affiliate.

Prosecutors say the women used coded communications to hide their intent, referring to al-Shabab as “the family” and truckloads of supplies as “camels.”

In opening statements at Monday’s bench trial, Dhirane’s attorney said her client’s vocal support of al-Shabab is not a crime.