HOUSTON (AP) — The latest on two Iraqi-born men who came to the U.S. as refugees and have been arrested on terrorism-related charges by federal authorities in Texas and California: (all times local)
11:20 a.m. PDT:
Federal authorities say a Syrian refugee in California encouraged a Texas man to join the civil war against the Syrian government and promised to teach him how to fight.
Prosecutors in Sacramento said Friday that the unnamed “Individual I” in the California criminal complaint is 24-year-old Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan of Houston.
The California complaint says 23-year-old Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab of Sacramento communicated with the Texas man in April 2013.
He promised to train Al Hardan on how to use weapons and advised him on how he would be assigned to fight once he arrived in Syria.
Authorities say Al-Jayab fought twice in Syria, including with a group later affiliated with the Islamic State organization. There is no indication that Al Hardan, an Iraqi refugee, actually traveled to Syria.
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11 a.m.
A judge has ordered an Iraqi-born Palestinian living in Texas to be held without bond as he faces charges of trying to provide support to the Islamic State group.
Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan appeared Friday before a federal magistrate in Houston.
The 24-year-old Al Hardan, who speaks Arabic and used an interpreter in court, said he lives in a Houston-area apartment, is married and has a child. Al Hardan said he earns about $1,800 per month. He did not say his occupation.
Judge Mary Milloy appointed attorney David Adler to represent Al Hardan, a refugee whose arrest was announced Thursday. He was indicted Wednesday on three counts of trying to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Al Hardan told the judge that he understands the indictment and the charges.
Prosecutors want bond denied for Al Hardan.
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