Buffalo, NY – Local Yemeni-American leader Mohamed Albanna, 51, was released on $100,000 bail Wednesday following his arrest for allegedly funneling money to Yemen.
Also released on $100,000 bail was his nephew, Ali Albanna, 29. The third suspect, Ali Taher Elbaneh, who is Mohamed Albanna's brother, was released on $25,000. He's 52.
"I am not guilty," said Mohamed Albanna, who was freed within an hour of bail being set. "I have confidence and faith and we'll come through."
Asked how he was feeling, he said, "Excellent. I want to go home."
Mohamed Albanna has been a strong advocate for the Lackawanna Six, who have been held since September on charges of assisting a terrorist organization.
Authorities say the three relatives transferred more than $480,000 to Yemen without the proper licenses. US Attorney Michael Battle says there's no allegation that the money allegedly sent to Yemen by the three was used to fund terrorists.
The three men pleaded innocent following their arrests Tuesday. They could face five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Prosecutors say authorities seized $51,000 in a raid of Mohamed Albanna's business and $130,000 from his bank account.