[I]n court papers unsealed Monday, Al-Arian admitted he raised money for the Islamic Jihad and conspired to hide the identities of other members of the terrorist organization, including his brother-in-law, Mazen Al-Najjar. He also admitted knowing "that the PIJ achieved its objectives by, among other means, acts of violence."

U.S. District Judge James Moody on Monday approved a deal in which Al-Arian pleaded guilty to conspiring to help a terrorist organization. The plea was entered in a secret hearing Friday as part of an agreement that calls for Al-Arian to be deported after serving a prison sentence that amounts to a little more than time served.

Agha Saeed, of the Citizens Committee for Equal Justice, issued a statement calling the agreement "a victory for Dr. Al-Arian, his family and the Palestinian people. It is a matter of public record that Dr. Al-Arian has won his freedom by acknowledging, asserting, and upholding his support for Palestine and Palestinians."