New York:
An Indian national charged with attempting to provide material support to Lebanon's Hezbollah, a US designated foreign terrorist group, and illegally
possessing fire arms and ammunition has pleaded not guilty.
Patrick Nayyar was residing illegally in Queens in New York and was arrested on September 24 from his residence based on a criminal complaint charging him with possessing a firearm and ammunition as an illegal alien.
Nayyar's lawyer Martin Schmukler has called the case "overblown" and stated that his client was not living in the country illegally.
The 45-year-old Indian, who was indicted yesterday by a Manhattan court, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the indictment, Nayyar along with his accomplice Conrad Stanisclaus Mulholland agreed to provide weapons, ammunition and vehicles to Hezbollah.
Schmukler said Nayyar currently lives in Flushing, Queens with his wife and two children in a building where he works as a superintendent.
Nayyar's so-called accomplice Mulholland, who hails from Britain and has also been charged by the court, has not yet been arrested and is reported to be in the UK.