U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has announced indictments against four people who have been charged with providing support to an Egyptian-based terrorist organization. 

In making his announcement in New York Tuesday, Mr. Ashcroft said the group is accused of providing support to the terrorist organization known as the "Islamic Group." 

He said the organization has an active membership in the United States centered in the New York City area and has links to al-Qaida. The Attorney General said the indictment accuses the defendants of supporting the organization by passing messages regarding Islamic Group activities to and from imprisoned Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman. 

The blind Muslim cleric was sentenced to life in jail for a conspiracy that included 1993's bombing of New York's World Trade Center and plans to blow up several other New York landmarks, including the United Nations. 

Among those named is American attorney Lynne Stewart, who represented Abdel-Rahman. The other three people indicted include Abdel-Rahman's translator and two Muslim militants - including one who is in custody in Britain. 

Ms. Stewart's lawyer, Susan Tipograph, said her client was taken into custody Tuesday. U.S. authorities also are searching Ms. Stewart's office in Manhattan. 

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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