Philly Man Accused of Associating With Terrorist Group
Hayatullah Dawari, an immigrant from Afghanistan who lives in Philadelphia, was charged in federal court with lying on an application for citizenship last year. The government contends he has maintained an association with Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin, a group with the goal of overthrowing the Afghanistan government and re-installing an Islamic state.
It has carried out attacks on U.S. and coalition forces and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S., the U.K., the European Union and Canada. Yes, even Canada went out of its way to hate on this group, which the indictment links to Al Qaeda.
Dawari, who became a legal permanent resident just after the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, applied for citizenship in November last year. The government says he maintained an association with Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin — the government calls it “HIG,” which I’ll do from now on to save time — both during his time in Afghanistan and since entering the United States. Dawari is charged with lying on the application and not disclosing his alleged ties to HIG.
The question, 8a on the N-400 naturalization form, is a rather innocuous one. It asks: “Have you ever been a member of or associated with any organization, association, fund, foundation, party, club, society, or similar group in the United States or in any other place?” Dawari answered no. The indictment does not say what Dawari’s association with HIG is or was.
Dawari faces 20 years, a $500,000 fine, three years of supervised release and — as the government press release actually points out — a $200 special assessment. He was arrested this morning.
According to his Facebook page, Dawari graduated high school in 1971 and in 2011 attended Community College of Philadelphia. Also, his profession is listed as: “why should I be employed ? I am the boss !”