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Suspected Saddam Hussein Spy Appears in Buffalo Court

U.S. Assistant Attorney Gregory Brown talks about Darwish case with reporters in lobby of Federal Court, Buffalo, NY
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U.S. Assistant Attorney Gregory Brown talks about Darwish case with reporters in lobby of Federal Court, Buffalo, NY

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – A Canadian citizen, accused of spying for Saddam Hussein, appeared in a Buffalo courtroom Tuesday. 47 year old Mouyad Mahmoud Darwish faces conspiracy charges.

Darwish is charged with conspiracy for spying. He failed to register as a foreign agent. A Justice Department issued a criminal complaint alleges that Darwish was paid for providing information to the Iraqi Government in 2000 under Saddam Hussein. Darwish is a Canadian citizen. He had been living in Maryland until he lost his immigration status and moved to Canada.

Darwish was arrested at the Peace Bridge Christmas Eve. He was heading to Maryland with his family to visit with his ailing father. Darwish appeared before U.S. Magistrate Hugh Scott Tuesday for a detention hearing. U.S. Assistant Attorney Gregory Brown argued that Darwish would be a flight risk and could flee back to Canada, avoiding the charges.

But the judge denied bail. Darwish will be transported back to Maryland to face the charges. Heis one of at least a dozen conspirators charged

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