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Al-Buthi travels to Ashland
October 1997: Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation in Saudi Arabia appoints Soliman Al-Buthi its treasurer. Al-Buthi travels to Ashland to form a chapter. -
Al-Buthi buys a home in Ashland for Pete Seda
December 1997: Al-Buthi buys a home at 3800 Highway 99 Ashland, OR, Ashland, as a prayer house and residence for Pete Seda. -
Al-Haramain starts Oregon chapter
February 1999: Al-Haramain incorporates its Oregon chapter through the Secretary of State’s Office, stating it “stands against terrorism, injustice, or subversive activities in any form.” Seda is listed as the registered agent. -
Ashland Al-Haramain chapter given $150,000 for Muslims in Chechnya
February 2000: An Egyptian doctor in England wires $150,000 to the foundation’s Ashland bank account to aid Muslims in Chechnya. -
Al-Buthi takes $151,000 from Ashland to Saudi Arabia
March 2000: Al-Buthi comes to Ashland, where he and Seda get $130,000 in travelers’ checks and a $21,000 cashier’s check. Al-Buthi takes the money to Saudi Arabia without declaring it and cashes the checks. -
Al-Buthi brings $275,000 from Saudi Arabia to Ashland
May 2000: Al-Buthi legally transports $275,000 in traveler’s checks from Saudi Arabia to Ashland for deposit. -
Al-Haramain buys a prayer house in Springfield, Mo.
June 2000: The foundation buys a prayer house in Springfield, Mo., for $378,291.74.
2151 East Division Street, Springfield, MO -
Terrorists attack the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
September 11, 2001: Al-Qaida terrorists attack the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. -
Seda fails to report $130,000 on Al-Haramain's tax return
October 2001: Seda fails to report the $130,000 in travelers’ checks properly on the foundation’s 2000 tax return. -
Six foreign Al-Haramain chapter are designated as terrorism supporters
March 2002: The U.S. Treasury Department designates six foreign Al-Haramain chapters as supporters of terrorism. -
Seda leaves the country after an FBI interview
March 2003: Shortly after an FBI interview, Seda leaves the United States for the United Arab Emirates. -
Federal agents search Seda’s residence
Feb. 18, 2004: Federal agents search Seda’s residence. The chapter’s assets and property are frozen a day later. -
Saudi Arabia dissolves the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation
June 2004: Saudi Arabia dissolves the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation. -
Al-Buthi and Al-Haramain are designated as supporters of terrorism
September 2004: U.S. Department of Treasury designates Al-Buthi and the Al-Haramain chapter as supporters of terrorism. The government claims it has information that the Chechan donation handled by Al-Buthi and Seda was diverted to support Chechen leaders affiliated with the al-Qaida network. -
Seda, Al-Buthi and Al-Haramain are indicted on felony charges
Feb. 17, 2005: Seda, Al-Buthi and the Al-Haramain Foundation’s Oregon chapter are indicted on felony charges of illegally transporting money out of the United States, tax fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States. International arrest warrants are issued for Seda and Al-Buthi. -
Feds dismiss chargres against Al-Haramain
Aug. 4, 2005: Federal attorneys file motion to dismiss charges against the foundation and declare continuing investigations of Seda and Al-Buthi. -
Feds continue to look for Al-Buthi and Seda
Aug. 21, 2005: Federal agents believe Al-Buthe is in Saudi Arabia and that Seda may be in his native Iran. Neither country has extradition agreements with the United States. -
Seda’s former residence is sold at auction
May 2006: Federal agents sell Seda’s former residence at auction. Assets remain frozen. -
Seda returns to Oregon, surrenders to feds
Aug. 15, 2007: Seda flies from Germany to Portland, where he surrenders and is arrested by federal agents. Seda is later lodged at the Lane County Jail. -
Detention hearings begin for Seda
Aug. 22, 2007: The first of several detention hearings occur in U.S. District Court over whether Seda should be released from the Lane County Jail while he awaits trial. -
Seda is released from the Lane County Jail
Nov. 30, 2007: Seda is released from the Lane County Jail and returns to Ashland. He later moves to Portland, where he remains. -
Seda's trial begins
August 30, 2010: After several delays and hundreds of court filings, Seda’s trial is set to begin with jury selection. The trial is expected to take two weeks. -
Seda convicted
A federal jury convicts Seda of conspiracy to defraud the government and one count of filing a false tax return for his role in helping relay $150,000 to Muslim fighters in Chechnya. -
Seda released from jail
Pete Seda is freed from Lane County Jail and returns to Portland while his attorneys attempt to have his convictions tossed out, arguing that the government withheld evidence. -
Judge denies defense motions
U.S. District Court Judge Michael Hogan denies every one of Seda's defense team's motions seeking acquittal or a new trial. -
Seda sentenced to 33 months in prison
U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan in Eugene sentenced Seda to 33 months for his money-laundering and tax-evasion convictions. -
