Six US suspects deny al-Qaeda charges

The men face up to 15 years in prison if convicted

Six Americans of Yemeni descent have pleaded not guilty to charges of supporting the al-Qaeda terror network.

The men, who were arrested a few days after the anniversary of the 11 September attacks, face charges of conspiracy to support a foreign terrorist organisation and providing material support to al-Qaeda.

Lawyers for the men entered their pleas on their behalf during a brief court hearing in Buffalo, New York, as friends and family of the six looked on.

They face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the charges. The trial is not expected to begin until next year.

'Sleeper cell'

Faysal Galab, Mukhtar Al-Bakri, Sahim Alwan, Yahya Goba, Shafal Mosed and Yasein Taher are accused of supporting al-Qaeda, which is blamed for the 11 September attacks.

Prosecutors allege that the men were a "sleeper cell", and had spent time in militant camps in Afghanistan, training in the use of weapons and explosives.

But they admit there is no concrete evidence connecting the men to a specific attack on the US.

All six men have declared their innocence, with four of the six denying they had ever been to Afghanistan or any training camps.

Five were arrested in New York state and a sixth man was held in the Gulf State of Bahrain the day after his wedding there.

Mr Alwan, who has co-operated with officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, remains the only suspect to have been granted bail.

The other five are to appeal against the rejection of their requests for bail.