EXTRA: Cable Guy Terrorist

A man who operated a cable television company was convicted in New York recently on charges of supporting Hizballah, a terrorist organization in Lebanon. Now, an organization in New York is demanding a full investigation "a full investigation of all cable systems through the tri state area after a convicted Staten Island TV operator was transporting TV programs to a Hizballah TV Station that was linked to a terrorist group." The organization demanding the investigation is Manhattan Media (see their press release below). NEW YORK—A Staten Island satellite TV operator, Javed Iqbal, aka John Iqbal, has pleaded guilty to providing material support of a Hizballah TV station, a designated foreign terrorist organization.... Prosecutors say Iqbal, 45, operated a satellite television service known as HDTV Limited, d/b/a HDTV Corporation, that maintained certain of its satellite equipment at Iqbal’s residence on Staten Island.... Iqbal pleaded guilty to a charge of providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24. (Source: North Country Gazette, NY) The New York Daily News explains that Iqbal "pleaded guilty Tuesday to providing satellite television transmission services to the Lebanese militant movement Hezbollah, which the United States has branded a terrorist organization, legal authorities said." (Source)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [All Emphasis Added] Contact: RJ ROMERO of Manhattan Media Email: manhattanmedia212@gmail.com Terrorism on Staten Island. Staten Island Community Group Calls On Attorney General for Full Investigation of All Cable Systems after Recent Conviction.

The Staten Island Good Neighborhood Association is demanding and calling on New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for a full investigation of all cable systems through the tri state area after a convicted Staten Island TV operator was transporting TV programs to a Hizballah TV Station that was linked to a terrorist group. Staten Island Good Neighborhood Association President John “JE” Englebert says “Children can be affected by messages sent through our airwaves. Although we recognize our First Amendment of free speech we feel this was done illegally through our cable communications system. We feel that our TV systems are not being fully checked and there might be other cable systems affected. We are calling on Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for a full investigation”. Staten Island Good Neighborhood Association Vice President Mark Fiore says "We will be demanding higher penalties for this kind activity". Javed Iqbal, a/k/a “John Iqbal,” 45, of Staten Island, New York, pleaded guilty Tuesday December 23rd in Manhattan federal court to providing material support to Hizballah, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. According to the criminal Complaint, the count (Count Two) of the Superseding Indictment to which Iqbal pleaded guilty, and statements during the guilty plea proceeding before [a] United States District Judge. Hizballah (”Party of God”) is a Lebanon-based organization whose stated mission is the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic state and the destruction of the State of Israel. Hizballah regards the United States as its enemy in this struggle and has pursued its mission through, among other things, attacks on civilian targets. Hizballah operates a television station in Lebanon known as Al Manar (”the beacon”) to cultivate support, including raising funds and recruiting volunteers for attacks. Hizballah was designated on October 8, 1997, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. On October 31, 2001, Hizballah was further designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and Al Manar itself was so designated on March 23, 2006. Iqbal operated a satellite television service known as HDTV Limited, d/b/a HDTV Corporation that maintained certain of its satellite equipment at Iqbal’s residence on Staten Island. Iqbal admitted that between approximately September 2005 and August 2006 he provided satellite transmission services to Al Manar, in exchange for thousands of dollars in payments from Al Manar. Iqbal pleaded guilty to a charge of providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2009, at 12:45 p.m. before Judge Berman in Manhattan federal court. The Staten Island Good neighborhood Association Organization is a non political group that is dedicated to the health, safety and well being of Staten Island. It acts as a community watch dog organization for good government and civic activities for the people of Staten Island. The group’s website is http://www.statenislandgoodneighborhoodassociation.com For interviews with the Staten Island Good Neighborhood Association President or Vice President: Contact - RJ ROMERO of Manhattan Media Email: manhattanmedia212@gmail.com