FBI defends decision to shoot mosque leader

Terrorists? Two-bit thugs? Or innocent?

Those are the questions surrounding the dozen men described as radical fundamentalists charged in a criminal conspiracy that includes firearms and stolen goods offenses.

As seven suspects appeared Thursday in U.S. District Court in Detroit for detention hearings, prosecutors warned of possible retaliation for the killing of the group's leader, Luqman Ameen Abdullah. FBI agents killed Abdullah, 53, of Detroit during a Wednesday raid and shootout at a Dearborn warehouse.

"We know from his conduct yesterday that violence was intended," U.S. Attorney Terrence Berg said Thursday. Two suspects were at large late Thursday.

But defense attorneys scoffed at a 43-page detailed affidavit that highlights Abdullah's alleged hatred of government and police agencies and call for a jihad.

The suspects are not charged with any form of terrorism.

"I don't see any terrorism charges," said defense attorney Robert F. Kinney, who represents suspect Abdul Saboor, 37, of Detroit. "Terrorism is a very serious charge."

Federal authorities defended the actions they took.

Detroit FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena said Abdullah, imam of the Masjid Al-Haqq mosque in Detroit, was armed and opened fire during a raid at a Dearborn warehouse, which he described as an undercover, FBI-controlled location.

"I'm comfortable with what the agents did. They did what they had to do to protect themselves," Arena said, later adding: "We do not target religious institutions."

On Thursday, Windsor police and Canada Border Services agents arrested Abdullah's son, 30-year-old Mujahid Carswell of Detroit and Windsor, the FBI said. The Canadian Border Patrol is holding him on immigration violations.

Still at large were 30-year-old Yassir Ali Khan of Warren and Ontario and 33-year-old Mohammad Philistine, also named in the complaint as Mohammad Alsahli, of Ontario.

"We certainly warned law enforcement to be aware that there could be some retribution," Arena said.

The incident has reopened concerns over the FBI's use of informants in the Muslim world, said Imad Hamad, senior national adviser and regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

Hamad said he and other Arab-American leaders have had talks with the FBI about its use of informants, and authorities insist that they use such sources only when they have specific allegations.

"The case -- regardless of the facts, regardless of the allegations, regardless of what went right and what went wrong -- brings back that issue of informants," Hamad said.

Imam was firing, FBI says

Jihad El-Jihad, who said he has belonged to Al-Haqq mosque for more than 20 years, said Thursday that members have strong views on many issues, but because they are Muslim, they are considered terrorists.

The mosque had opened its doors to homeless and hungry people, starting a program many years ago to serve warm meals, El-Jihad said.

He called Abdullah "a great human being," adding: "I admire that man. I can only hope that if I'm in the same situation, I have the courage to go like he did."

Abdullah was killed after FBI agents announced arrests at the Dearborn warehouse, in which an unnamed undercover transaction was taking place, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Oberg told a federal magistrate Thursday.

Four suspects, including Abdullah, took off running and came to a locked door, she said. Then they sought refuge in a large truck parked inside.

When FBI agents called for surrender, three suspects complied: Abdul Saboor, Abdulla Beard and Muhammad Abdul Salaam, Oberg said.

Abdullah came out firing, authorities said.

Freddy, an FBI dog from Washington, was dead on arrival after being flown to a Madison Heights hospital.

"Those dogs are like family members," Arena said. "Many times those dogs have saved officers' and agents' lives, and I think that may have occurred yesterday." Agents seized six weapons, a bulletproof vest and ammunition during two search warrant executions on Tireman and Genessee in Detroit.

Help for neighborhood

Several people visiting the brick, two-story mosque on the 4000 block of Clairmount on Thursday said they didn't believe the FBI's assertion that Abdullah and the others were involved in criminal activities.

"This man was well loved. This man was like my father," mosque member Ali Shabazz, 37, said of Abdullah. "He was right here in our hearts."

Abdullah was targeted because his faith was different from other Islamic leaders, who read from prepared texts, said Wali Mohammad, 31, who paced the hallways and spoke to family and friends as they emerged from the courtroom.

Abdullah catered to the neighborhood he served -- poor and unemployed and troubled by drugs and crime, Mohammad said.

"His message was more catered to people of African descent, those who were brought here because of the slave trade and who continue to be systematically oppressed," Mohammad said, adding that the message was "Let's work and pray and pray hard. It was all about positivity, not negative."

Mohammad said he wasn't surprised at the allegations that the imam carried weapons, in part, because he said Abdullah believed himself to be in danger.

"He did not support violence in any way, shape or form," Mohammad said, adding later: "We have a right to bear arms."

4 detained, 3 released

During the detention hearings, U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald Scheer ordered four of the defendants detained and three released on personal bond.

Beard, 37, of Detroit, who is charged with conspiracy to commit federal crimes, was detained. Scheer said he based his decision on a recorded conversation with a federal informant in which Beard allegedly plotted to rob the manager of a check cashing store with Abdullah's permission.

Scheer also ordered the detention of Garry Porter, 59, a physical education teacher at A.L. Holmes Elementary School in Detroit who had two knives on him when he was arrested Wednesday at the school, according to Oberg.

Salaam, 45, also was detained. He is charged with conspiracy to commit federal crimes and sale or receipt of stolen goods.

Adam Ibraheem, 38, of Detroit agreed to be temporarily detained due to an outstanding detention order.

Scheer released Saboor, 37, of Detroit on an electronic tether despite objections from Oberg. Oberg consented to bond for Acie Pusha, 27, of Detroit, who is charged with conspiracy to receive and sell stolen goods.

Ali Abdul Raqib, 57, charged with conspiracy to commit federal crimes, was freed on $10,000 unsecured bond.

Contact BEN SCHMITT: 313-223-4296 or bcschmitt@freepress.com. Staff writers Amber Hunt and Eric D. Lawrence contributed to this report.

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