2007-05-28 15:37:47 -

MILAN, Italy (AP) - Despite evidence showing that a Milan imam was central to a terror group that organized Islamic militants to fight in Bosnia and the Middle East, a panel of judges said Monday it was forced to dismiss charges against him and 31 others because the statute of limitations had expired, the

Italian news agency ANSA reported.

In their official explanation of the decision, the judges said Abu Imad was «directly involved in financing, establishing contact with foreign groups and supplying combatants,» and concluded that he was «undoubtedly one of the organizers of the group,» ANSA reported.

They said his role was «demonstrated incontestably» by evidence presented in trial, witness statements as well as evidence collected from wiretaps, but that the charges were dismissed because the statute of limitations had expired. The alleged crimes were committed between 1990-95, ANSA said.

In all, charges were dismissed against 32 defendants. Three more were convicted of minor charges and handed sentences ranging from 4½ years to 6 years in prison.

The defendants _ who come from Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Libya _ were accused of belonging to an organization that financed and provided logistical support to the Salafist Group for Call and Combat and Ansar al-Islam, radical Islamic groups linked to al-Qaida.

The imam, Abu Imad, had denied wrongdoing.