Two San Diego men pleaded not guilty today to charges they gave money and other support to the Somalia-based terror group al-Shabab.
Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud and Issa Doreh, stood side by side handcuffed and dressed in orange jumpsuits as their lawyers entered not-guilty pleas on their behalf.
A third defendant Basaaly Saeed Moalin pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday.
Federal prosecutor William Cole asked U.S. Magistrate Judge William Gallo to deny the men bail because the government believes they pose a flight risk. Gallo granted the request and added that the men could pose a danger as well.
Federal agents arrested the men this week following a lengthy investigation by the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The charges allege that Basaaly Saeed Moalin, Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud and Issa Doreh conspired to provide material support to a terrorist organization, and also conspired to kill in a foreign country.
Among the evidence cited in the indictment is a 2008 phone conversation between Moalin and al-Shabab military leader Ayden Hashi Ayrow. Ayrow allegedly told Moalin: "It is time to finance the jihad." A short time later, defendant Moalin allegedly told his co-defendant Mohamud to hold back 20 or 30 trusted people at the mosque to tell them to contribute money.
The indictment details another phone conversation in 2007, when Moalin allegedly advised Issa Doreh that "one dollar a day per man" was needed for the forces.
The indictment further alleges that Moalin provided a house in Somalia, knowing the house would be used to kill people in a foreign country.
Moalin was arraigned Tuesday in federal court. The other two men are scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday.
