By Kevin Willis
Bowling Green, KY – Two Iraqi men living in Bowling Green face charges they tried to send stinger missiles, sniper rifles, and money to Al-Qaida in their home country. U. S. officials unsealed a 23-count federal indictment Tuesday against 30-year-old Waad Ramadan Alwan and 23-year-old Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, who have both lived in Warren County since 2009. Authorities say their weapons and money didn't make it to Iraq because of a tightly controlled undercover investigation. David Hale is the U. S. Attorney for Kentucky's western district.
"Let me underscore that neither of these defendants has been charged with plotting attacks within the United States. These charges relate to conduct that occurred in Iraq and also conduct in the United States regarding their attempt or conspiracy to aid Al-Qaida in Iraq."
The pair made their initial appearance in federal court Tuesday in Louisville, and entered not guilty pleas before being remanded to federal custody. Both men face a detention hearing June 8th in Bowling Green.