NEW YORK -- A doctor convicted in New York of conspiring to help treat wounded al-Qaida fighters was sentenced to 25 years in prison Tuesday.

Jurors found Dr. Rafiq Sabir tried to assist al-Qaida fighters overseas after hearing secret recordings of meetings where he pledged support to Osama Bin Laden.

During the trial, prosecutors said Sabir said "yes to Osama bin Laden, yes to al-Qaeda and yes to providing material support to terrorists." A photo of Bin Laden was displayed on a screen in the courtroom.

Sabir, 52, received the 25-year sentence after standing trial. Three co-defendants each pleaded guilty, agreeing to serve between 13 and 15 years in prison in deals with the government.

Sabir's former best friend, martial arts expert and jazz musician Tarik Shah, was among those who pleaded guilty. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karl Metzner had called Sabir and Shah "blood brothers" committed to helping al-Qaida and bin Laden further their goals.

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