Middle East

Qatar Hires Former US Attorney General To Fight Terrorism Accusations

The government of Qatar will pay John Ashcroft's law firm $2.5 million to help the country fight accusations that it supports terrorism.

Qatar Hires Former US Attorney General To Fight Terrorism Accusations
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Qatar has hired former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to help fight accusations that the country supports terrorism.

According to documents filed with the Justice Department, Qatar's government will pay the Ashcroft Law Firm a $2.5 million flat fee for 90 days of work on the "top priority" case.

Ashcroft himself will take the lead on the project.

Ashcroft served as attorney general under President George W. Bush during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and he helped get the controversial Patriot Act signed into law.

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The Associated Press notes this big hire could be Qatar's attempt to get in the good graces of the U.S. and its regional neighbors.

The country has been accused of backing terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda. Several nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in an attempt to isolate it.

President Donald Trump seemed to endorse that diplomatic decision during a press conference last week.

"The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level. We have to stop the funding of terrorism," Trump said.

Qatar has denied the allegations against it.