SANTA ANA, Calif. – Seven people have pleaded guilty in California to providing material support to an Iraq-based terrorist organization.
The defendants entered their pleas Wednesday and each faces up to 20 years in prison.
Prosecutors say the defendants admitted they raised funds for the Mujahedin-e Khalq, or MEK. The State Department says the militia was supported by Saddam Hussein and works against the Iranian government.
They also say the defendants admitted collecting money from supporters and soliciting money from donors at locations such as Los Angeles International Airport by saying it was for a human rights charity.
The United States designated the group a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.
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