Florida: Bail granted in Hezbollah finance case

Update to Miami: 7 indicted for aiding Hizbollah front in Paraguay.

MIAMI — A judge granted bail Monday to a businessman accused of exporting video game consoles and cameras to a South American mall listed by U.S. authorities as a financing conduit for the Hezbollah militant group based in Lebanon.

Bail for 56-year-old Khaled Safadi was set at just over $1.5 million by U.S. Magistrate Judge William Turnoff despite objections from prosecutors that he might try to flee to Lebanon or Paraguay. Turnoff said Safadi, a permanent U.S. resident, has strong family and community ties in South Florida and no past criminal record.

“The dumbest thing the defendant could do is not appear in court as required,” Turnoff said.

Prosecutors contend that Safadi, who operates Cedar Distributors Inc., and three other men illegally exported about $720,000 in Sony Playstation consoles and digital cameras to the Galeria Page mall in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. Exports to the mall are prohibited because profits are allegedly funneled to Hezbollah, which the U.S. lists as a terrorist organization blamed for numerous attacks on Israel.

It doesn’t matter that the exports included harmless video game gear.

“It’s shipping to the entity that’s banned,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Koonin at a hearing. “That entity is on the banned list because of its support to Hezbollah.”

A second man charged in the case, 46-year-old Ulises Talavera, reached an agreement Monday with prosecutors for release on $550,000 bail. The third suspect arrested in the U.S., Emilio Gonzalez-Neira, 43, has agreed temporarily to remain in custody before trial, his lawyer said. The man who allegedly purchased the electronics, 37-year-old Samer Mehdi, is believed to be in Paraguay.

via Bail granted in Fla. Hezbollah finance case – Florida AP – MiamiHerald.com.