Dec. 18, 2002 -- Federal agents have arrested officials of a Dallas-area web hosting company that hosts the web site for the Al Jazeera television network and dozens of other Muslim organizations.
According to media reports, four brothers who operate InfoCom Corp were arrested this morning by members of the North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force, and are charged in a 33-count indictment that alleges money laundering and illegal trade practices.
The Justice Department has scheduled an afternoon news conference to discuss the charges.
Media reports identified the men arrested as Ghassan Elashi, Basman Elashi, Bayan Elashi and Hazim Elashi.
Bayan Elashi is listed as the administrator for MyNet.net, which hosts the web site for Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based pan-Arabic news channel, best known to many Americans for its broadcasts of audio and video messages from leaders of the Al Qaeda network.
Officials of InfoCom have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or terrorist connections. The company provides a variety of solutions to include e-commerce, web hosting, web design and development services, network design and solution services, and internet consultation services, according to the company's web site.
InfoCom also exports large volume computer and information technology purchases to organizations around the world to include entire phone networks, pre-built ISP systems, as well as various technology components.
The company's export activities were the focus of a raid last year, amid allegations that InfoCom had exported restricted technology to Libya.
At the time, InfoCom hosted a protest by Muslim-Americans at its headquarters at 630 International Parkway, Suite 100 in Richardson, Texas, part of the Dallas-area "Telecom Corridor."
At the press conference, held just days before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Muslim leaders said the raid on InfoCom was part of an "anti-Muslim witch hunt" promoted by a pro-Israel lobby in America.
"Hundreds of innocent American businesses and citizens are being harmed by the government's actions. This incident can only serve to marginalize millions of American Muslims who are committed to the betterment of our diverse society."