Fox News reported yesterday that two men, Ahmed Ferhani, a 26-year-old of Algerian descent, and Mohamed Mamdouh, a 20-year-old of Moroccan descent, were arrested in New York City this week for plotting to attack New York synagogues dressed as Hasidic Jews. The two were arrested in a sting operation where they were sold weapons to carry out their assualt and then taken into custody.
The story is also reported in the UK Mail Online, which stated:
"In an unusual move, the pair were being charged by New York state, not federal prosecutors. Vance said there were four counts under terrorism and hate crimes laws. The charges carry a potential penalty of life in prison.
"The pair will appear in criminal court in lower Manhattan today, and are likely to face state terrorism rather than federal charges, the New York Post reported.
"It is understood the joint FBI-NYPD anti-terrorism task force were aware of the investigation, but chose not to become involved.
"The case is the first of its kind since U.S. Navy SEALs killed Bin Laden at his Abbottobad compound in Pakistan.
"New York City was placed on high alert immediately after the raid on May 1, with the NYPD and Port Authority putting extra officers on train stations, airports and the subway.
"After Bin Laden's death, CIA director Leon Panetta said: 'Though Bin Laden is dead, Al Qaeda is not. The terrorists almost certainly will attempt to avenge him, and we must - -and will - remain vigilant and resolute.'"
These men were going to go into a synagogue dressed as Hasidic Jews and start killing innocent people. If they are tried on state charges rather than federal charges, they will not be subject to the death penalty. I think that is a serious error in judgment. We have proven cases of Muslims in jail aiding terrorist operations. Do we need more?
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