New Yorker convicted of giving material support to Hezbollah

A New Yorker has been convicted of providing material support to Hezbollah.

A jury returned its verdict Thursday against Ali Kourani in Manhattan federal court. Kourani could face life in prison at a sentencing scheduled for September.

The Bronx man has been held without bail since his June 2017 arrest.

Prosecutors say Kourani tried to support Hezbollah's Islamic Jihad organization.

They say Kourani surveilled American targets, including military and law enforcement facilities in New York City.

Authorities say the Lebanon-born Kourani received sophisticated military training overseas at least twice, including in 2000 at age 16. They say he was trained in the use of a rocket propelled grenade.

Authorities say he came to the US legally in 2003, eventually earning bachelor's and master's degrees.

His lawyer says he'll appeal.