Minn. ISIS Suspect Allowed To Go Free Pending Trial
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A U.S. magistrate will allow a Twin Cities man to be released pending his conspiracy trial that accuses him of attempting to fight with ISIS in Syria.
However, Magistrate Judge Janie Mayeron's decision requires that 18-year-old Abdullahi Yusuf will have strict monitoring and must turn over his U.S. passport.
Yusuf is charged with conspiring with a friend, Abdi Nur, in providing "material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant," also known as ISIL or ISIS.
Nur was able to avoid the attention of FBI investigators and took a flight to Istanbul, Turkey on May 29, 2014. He's now believed to be among ISIS fighters in Syria.
Wednesday's court ruling is a setback for prosecutors, who argued hard for probable cause in the case and to require Yusuf held in detention pending his trial.
FBI investigators say it was an ATM machine in south Minneapolis where Nur and Yusuf each deposited about $1,500 in cash just prior to their May travel plans.
The source of the money is believed to be from terrorist recruiters, intended to pay for their flights to Turkey. From there they would gain access into Syria and join up with ISIS fighters.
Nur evaded the FBI's radar, but agents stopped Yusuf at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on May 28 as he was about to board his flight. He told investigators that he was going on vacation, "to visit the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, go sightseeing."
But according to the criminal complaint, he was unable to give specific details of where he was staying or what friends he had in Turkey. He also didn't share his travel plans, the receipt of his passport or bank deposits with his parents.
Community activist and family friend Omar Jamal was at Yusuf's hearing.
"We in the community are very much interested in asking the government to find out who is behind this recruitment," Jamal said. "Who are the mentors? Who are the individuals who are facilitating this and putting all these kids in … such huge trouble?"
Yusuf's parents were in court Wednesday, along with several dozen supporters. Prosecutors wanted Yusuf held until trial, calling him a flight risk and a person willing to engage in a long-standing terrorist conspiracy.
But his attorney said there's no proof of his intentions, and no mention of Jihad. Judge Janie Mayeron then released him to the custody of his parents, but on 18 strict conditions.
Jean Brandl is Yusuf's defense attorney.
"I think actually what really made the difference is what he has done since his contact with police," Brandi said.
She says Yusuf has shown no interest in ISIS, in leaving the country or Minnesota, and has not been involved in anything illegal since his arrest.
