A former U.S. Navy sailor was charged in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 7, 2007, with supporting terrorism with the intent to kill U.S. citizens and transmitting classified information to unauthorized people. 

Hassan Abujihaad (a.k.a. Paul R. Hall), 31, allegedly leaked classified information via e-mail to Babar Ahmed, a British-born computer specialist facing terrorism charges in the U.S.  Ahmed is currently in Britain appealing extradition orders.

Abujihaad is accused of revealing information about the U.S. missile destroyer USS Benfold, on which he was stationed, and other ships within its battle group as they traveled from California to the Persian Gulf region in 2001, according to a federal criminal complaint.  The Justice Department said the information, including how some Navy ships could be singled out for an attack, was discovered on a password-protected document at Ahmad’s home.

Abujihaad will be transferred to Connecticut, where the Azzam Publications Web sites that Ahmed allegedly operated between 1997 and 2004 were physically hosted.  Authorities believe these Web sites provided detailed instructions on how to raise and transfer money to the Taliban and how to obtain visas to travel to Afghanistan.  He also allegedly attempted to set up a terrorist training camp in Arizona in 1998. 

In addition to providing the naval information to Ahmad, Abujihaad is accused of purchasing videos promoting jihad and donating money to Azzam Publications.  In one e-mail exchange with Ahmad, Abujihaad praised Osama bin Laden, the Mujahideen and the 2000 suicide attack on the USS Cole that killed 17 U.S. sailors, according to court documents.

Abujihaad faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on both charges.