Lawyers for accused terrorist recruit seek his release pending trial in exchange for civic training
Lawyers for a Minnesota man accused of trying to travel to Syria the Islamic State group have asked that he be freed until trial if he promises to participate in a program that promotes civic involvement.
A hearing on the request, which had been set for Friday, has been canceled, the Associated Press reports. A new date has not been set.
Abdullahi Yusuf, 18, of suburban Minneapolis, is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He was arrested in November, six months after FBI agents stopped him from boarding a plane bound for Turkey.
The defense offer was hatched after U.S. District Judge Michael Davis said in December that he would consider releasing Yusuf prior to trial if Somali elders and community leaders came up with a plan to monitor the defendant’s actions.
The defense is proposing that Yusuf be required to participate in a program aimed at helping disaffected youth connect with their communities.
Federal prosecutors filed papers opposing Yusuf’s release, saying the defense proposal doesn’t change the facts. They have also noted that Yusuf deceived his parents about his intentions and could do so again.
Maki Haberfeld, a professor of police science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, voiced skepticism about the prospect that Yusuf could be rehabilitated.
“Trying to reprogram somebody who is attracted to all these extreme beliefs by telling them democracy is superior is a little bit naive,” she said.
