Judge keeps imams in jail until trial

Source: The Miami Herald

A federal magistrate Monday ordered two South Florida Muslim clerics be held in jail while they await trial with other family members on charges of conspiring to send thousands of dollars to Pakistani terrorists for arms and other militant resources to combat the Pakistan government and U.S. interests.

Magistrate Barry Garber ruled that Hafiz Muhammad Sher Ali Khan, 76, imam of a Miami mosque, and son Izhar Khan, 24, imam of a Margate mosque, pose a danger to the community because of their alleged financial support of the Pakistani Taliban. He also said the pair, both U.S. citizens who have lived in South Florida since the mid-1990s, might flee to their native Pakistan if they are granted bail.

Garber focused on the government’s evidence against Hafiz Khan, imam of the Flagler Mosque, saying it “seems to show he has been extremely active in Taliban matters and he has extensive contacts.” The judge, citing the FBI recordings of Khan’s phone conversations regarding money he is accused of sending to the Taliban, added: “His goal was to kill Americans.”

Garber said that Izhar Khan, imam of the Masjid Jammat Al-Mumineen, was “similarly involved, but not to the extent” of his father.




Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/22/2229375/keep-imams-in-jail-until-trial.html

You're one of "them."

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.