Alleged plotter of synagogue attacks indicted in N.Y.

A Manhattan grand jury has indicted a man who police say was plotting attacks against synagogues and other targets in New York. The Manhattan District Attorney\'s Office announced the indictment of Ahmed Ferhani, a 26-year-old Algerian immigrant, on Tuesday. Ferhani and a second suspect, Moroccan immigrant Mohamed Mamdouh, 20, were arrested May 11 in Manhattan.

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Jewish Journal

May 18, 2011

A Manhattan grand jury has indicted a man who police say was plotting attacks against synagogues and other targets in New York.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced the indictment of Ahmed Ferhani, a 26-year-old Algerian immigrant, on Tuesday. Ferhani and a second suspect, Moroccan immigrant Mohamed Mamdouh, 20, were arrested May 11 in Manhattan.

The two were arraigned in state court last week. Ferhani, who police have identified as the main plotter, was arrested after purchasing guns, ammunition and an inert hand grenade from an undercover officer.

Mamdouh’s attorney had agreed to allow prosecutors until June 2 to take the case against his client to the grand jury, The Associated Press reported.

Police say the two Queens residents had hoped to bomb synagogues and other targets. They are not believed to have ties to any terrorist groups.

Both men have denied the charges against them.