Courtroom Jihad Update: Syed Ahmed and Ehsanul Sadequee are tying up personnel, money, and time that could be devoted to more important and effective anti-terror efforts. “Setback for pair accused of terror aid,” from The Associated Press, :
ATLANTA “” A request by two young men accused of aiding terrorists to throw out certain charges against them should be denied, a judge recommended.
In a report made public Thursday, a U.S. magistrate rejected claims by two men accused of conspiracy and attempting to aid a terrorist organization that the charges against them are unconstitutionally vague and too broad.
Syed Ahmed, 21, and Ehsanul Sadequee, 20, are accused of discussing terror targets with Islamic extremists and undergoing training to carry out a “violent jihad” against civilian and government targets, including an air base in suburban Atlanta.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Gerrilyn Brill said the defendants’ alleged conduct fits within the law they are charged with violating and is “sufficiently specific that a person of ordinary intelligence could reasonably understand” that such conduct is prohibited.
Brill’s recommendation goes now to a federal district court judge for a final ruling.
The men have pleaded not guilty to a July 19 indictment charging them with providing material support to terrorists and related conspiracy counts. No trial date has been set.