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The indictment also alleged that Moalin provided a house in Somalia, "knowing (it) would be used in preparation for, and to carry out, a conspiracy to kill persons in a foreign country."
He was arrested on October 31, Mohamud and Doreh on November 1. All pleaded not guilty. They're being held without bail. Moalin's lawyer, Marc Geller, said he's seen no evidence that his client, a local cab driver with no prior record, had any involvement whatever.
About 50 local community members appeared in federal court to show support, believing the three men are innocent. One man, Ali Mohamed, said Moalin taught weekend classes on Islam at a local mosque and is considered a leader of the local Somali community. Apparently it led to his indictment.
"He would tell youngsters to stay away from drugs and gangs," he said. "It's shocking to hear this case against him (and the others). I don't understand why there are people in the street who commit violence while the people who stay in the mosques and pray are being attacked."
Edgar Hopida, of San Diego's Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the arrests put the local Somali community on edge. His organization informs them of their rights, ones very much in jeopardy.
"The Somali community is very fearful that their community is under attack," Hopida explained. "The Somalis who have come here are refugees from a war-torn country and the vast majority" oppose terrorism. In fact, a US-sponsored resettlement program arranged for most to come here, nearly all from the 87,000 community.
Last August, 14 Minnesota, California and Alabama Muslims were also indicted for allegedly supporting a "deadly pipeline," sending money and fighters to Al- Shabaab. Seven from Minnesota were previously charged.
On November 3, another DOJ press release headlined, "Two Indicted in Missouri on Charges of Providing Material Support to a Terrorist Organization. A Third Defendant is Charged with Structuring Violations," saying:
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