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DOJ Sentences Hezbollah Spy to 40 Years in Prison

A “Sleeper” spy for Hezbollah was sentenced to 40 years, followed by deportation, sending a strong message to the Islamic Jihad Organization.

Ali Kourani

Ali Kourani, 35, lashed out in a federal courtroom, saying he volunteered information about Hezbollah, and in return was charged for providing support to the organization.

“I wonder what will be next? Dismembering dissidents in the embassies? Turning sanctuary cities into black sites?” the man asked judge Alvin Hellerstein.

For a little information on the former New York resident’s background, Kourani was born in Lebanon but immigrated legally to the US in 2003, settling in New York City. Later on in 2008, he applied for naturalization in the U.S. and his application was granted the following year, giving him a U.S. passport.

Prosecutors revealed detailed information on Kourani and his activities, saying he was recruited around 2006 and since then trained and given tasks, such as learning how to use weapons, where he could find weapon suppliers in the U.S. as well as scoping out and surveilling airports, federal buildings and military facilities.

During his statement Tuesday, he showed no remorse for his actions, instead calling Hezbollah a “political party” and preaching about “double standards” in the U.S., as well as “government overreach.”

Judge Hellerstein stopped Kourani’s monologue, in a flashback to the man’s conviction in May:

“It was not the government, the prosecutors, the CIA… who found you guilty. You can’t blame the government because you’re estranged from your wife and she divorced you and took the kids to Canada,” Hellerstein said, interrupting the man’s rant about his family.

“This is a unique case. … Your voice will be heard today in Lebanon by Hezbollah, your voice will be heard today by the leaders in Iran, who are directing IJO operatives,” Assistant US Attorney Emil Bove said, asking Judge Hellerstein to give a 110-year sentence to send a message to the terror organization.

Ultimately, Hellerstein decided that 40 years, followed by a deportation upon completion of the sentence was plenty for Kourani, as his “useful life” would be “spent in prison.”

Reactionary Times News Desk

All breaking news stories that matter to America. The News Desk is covered by the sharpest eyes in news media, as they decipher fact from fiction.

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