Attorneys for five Palestinian-born brothers accused of shipping computers to countries that help terrorists claim their clients are being targeted because they are Muslims. The attorneys also said the government overreached by trying the men on criminal charges instead of treating the case as a civil or administrative matter. “(Attorney General John) Ashcroft’s track record is littered with cases where his initial proclamations have fizzled in the face of the facts,” said one of the defense lawyers, Tim Evans. “We look forward to exposing these claims against the Elashi brothers to the bright light of the courtroom.” Lawyers were expected to make opening statements Thursday in Dallas federal district court. The case is expected to be a warmup for a trial this fall on charges that the men used their computer business to help funnel money to a top leader of the militant group Hamas. Full Story