Three Pakistani nationals pleaded guilty before a US court Monday to terrorism-related charges of supporting the Pakistani Taliban, Justice Department officials said. At a hearing before US District Judge John Bates in Washington, the three - Irfan Ul Haq, 37; Qasim Ali, 32; and Zahid Yousaf, 43 - each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.

At sentencing set for December 9, each faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. As part of their plea agreements, the three have agreed to be sent back to Pakistan upon the completion of their sentences. "These defendants sought to smuggle someone they believed to be a member of a terrorist organisation from halfway around the world into the United States," said Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer. "For financial profit, they were willing to jeopardise the safety and security of the American people."

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2011