Algerian found guilty at Y2K terrorism trial in U.S.

A federal jury in Los Angeles found Ahmed Ressam, 33, guilty of all nine charges against him, including conspiracy to commit terrorism and possession and transportation of deadly explosives. The jury had deliberated for less than two days in the trial, which began March 12.

Ressam, who had pleaded not guilty, faces more than 100 years in prison.

He was arrested by U.S. Customs agents in December 1999 when he tried to enter the United States from Canada with a carload of explosives and timing devices.

U.S. authorities alleged Ressam is a member of the terrorist group headed by Afghanistan-based Saudi fugitive Osama bin-Laden and took part in a plot to bomb either the Space Needle, a Los Angeles airport or New York's Times Square.

Border guards caught him when after he broke out in a sweat as he tried to cross the border in a rented car. He then ran off but was caught after a short foot chase.

(bb/dpa)