MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An American who admitted traveling to Somalia to train with al-Shabab is testifying against a Minnesota man accused of helping supply the terror group with fighters.
Abdifatah Isse (EE'-say) testified Thursday in the trial of 46-year-old Mahamud (mah-hah-MOOD') Said (sy-EED') Omar.
Isse says he attended secret meetings in Minneapolis in 2007, before leaving for Somalia. Isse says he saw Omar give $500 cash to another man traveling to Somalia, and wish him good luck.
Omar is charged with five terror-related counts, including conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.
Prosecutors allege that since 2007, more than 20 young men have left Minnesota for the war-torn East African nation to join al-Shabab. The FBI says at least six have died.
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S.
