Lawyers for Minnesota terror suspect propose civics program

Friday, January 16, 2015

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MINNEAPOLIS — Attorneys for a man accused of trying to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group are proposing that he be freed pending trial if he promises to participate in courses that promote civic involvement.

The defense came up with the idea after U.S. District Judge Michael Davis said in December he would consider releasing Abdullahi Yusuf if there was a plan for Somali elders and community leaders to help monitor his actions. The defense proposal requires that Yusuf participate in a program by the nonprofit group Heartland Democracy aimed at helping disaffected young people connect with their communities.

A hearing that was scheduled for Friday was cancelled, and a new date was not immediately set.

Yusuf, 18, of Inver Grove Heights, is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. He was arrested in November, six months after FBI agents stopped him at the Minneapolis airport as he was attempting to leave the United States for Turkey.

Federal prosecutors filed papers Thursday requesting that Yusuf remain in custody, saying the defense proposal doesn’t change the facts. They’ve said previously that Yusuf deceived his parents before and could do so again.

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