Radical cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri is convicted of terrorism charges in New York Monday, following a four-week trial that shined a spotlight on the preacher's controversial anti-Western statements.
After deliberating for less than two days, the jury found the 56-year old guilty on all 11 counts he faced.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara says the verdict proves that the U.S. justice system can handle high-profile terrorism trials.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PREET BHARARA, U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, SAYING:
"Abu Hamza as the trial showed, attempted to portray himself as a preacher of faith, but he was instead, a trainer of terrorists, that has now been proven in an American court beyond a reasonable doubt."
Prosecutors had charged the one-eyed, handless imam with providing a satellite phone and advice to Yemeni militants who kidnapped Western tourists in 1998, an operation that led to the deaths of four hostages.
Many of his wo
