Witness: Florida imam's money not for Taliban

Miami, Feb 11 (AP) A defence witness testifying from Pakistan says a South Florida imam did not send money overseas to finance the Pakistani Taliban terror group. Ali Rehman testified today via a video link from Islamabad that he often handled transactions between 77-year-old Hafiz Khan and Khan's family members. Rehman says the money was mainly for the family's personal and business needs, including operating a potato chip factory in Pakistan. Rehman is the first of up to 11 witnesses testifying over video. Rehman is accused along with Khan and others by the US of conspiring to funnel some USD 50,000 to the Taliban. That's why Rehman refuses to come to the US trial. Rehman says he is not a Taliban supporter and was frequently threatened by them at a women's cosmetics store he owns. (AP) NKP NKP 02120134 NNNN