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Portland Pair Enter Pleas; 2 More Held
Tuesday, October 8, 2002
(12:00 AM PT)
Times Staff & Wire Services

The five male suspects are accused of setting out for Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 terror attacks with the intention of fighting on the side of al-Qaida and the Taliban. They encountered problems entering Afghanistan from China and returned home, according to the indictment. All six suspects are charged with conspiracy to levy war against the United States, conspiracy to provide material support and resources to al-Qaida, and conspiracy to contribute services to al-Qaida and the Taliban.

PORTLAND, Or. -- ST
Jeffrey Battle and his ex-wife October Lewis, American Muslims accused of plotting to wage war against U.S. troops in Afghanistan, pleaded not guilty yesterday to all counts of a federal indictment.

A third defendant arrested in Portland, Patrice Lumumba Ford, 31, pleaded not guilty last Friday.

Battle, Lewis and Ford were among six people indicted by a federal grand jury last week on conspiracy charges alleging a plan to travel to Afghanistan last winter and fight on the side of al-Qaida and the Taliban.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has described the Portland defendants as members of a suspected terrorist cell.
(More: The Seattle Times News Source)
2002 © The Seattle Times Co.

Dan