Judge refuses to dismiss charges in Somali case
Charges will stand against a Minnesota man accused of helping young Somalis travel to their homeland to fight with a terror group.
A federal judge Wednesday denied a defense request to dismiss some of the counts against 26-year-old Omer Abdi Mohamed.
Mohamed faces terrorism charges and has pleaded not guilty. He did not travel to Somalia, but authorities allege he helped others who did.
The defense argued that it is not illegal for someone to go abroad to enlist in a foreign army. But Chief U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis says the same is not true when someone travels to a foreign country to enlist in an insurgent army.
Mohamed is free but required to wear an electronic monitor on his ankle.
Trial is scheduled for July 19.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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