By Emma Simpson BBC correspondent in New York

A man once portrayed as a major terrorism suspect and detained after the 11 September attacks has been convicted for an immigration violation.

A prosecutor in the case against Nabil al-Marabh said the authorities had no evidence he was involved in any terrorist activities.

He was arrested as part of a nationwide investigation and has been in custody ever since.

Mr Marabh has always denied any involvement in terrorism, and last month he told the BBC he had gone on hunger strike in protest against his confinement.

Held in isolation

Mr Marabh was on the FBI's so-called priority list, which detailed the names of people wanted for questioning in connection with the 11 September attacks.

Mr Marabh was on the FBI's priority list

His name was written on the mailbox of an address where three men were arrested and charged with conspiring to support al-Qaeda.

Mr Marabh recently told BBC news he was held for eight months in isolation without a lawyer before he was charged with trying to illegally enter America last June.

His lawyer said her client just wanted his ordeal to be over.

He is now expected to serve a further four months in detention before being deported to Syria.