COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – An Ohio man accused of plotting to attack a military base or prison after returning to the U.S. from terrorist training in Syria has pleaded not guilty.
A federal indictment says Columbus resident Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud (ab-DEE’-RAH’-mahn shayk moh-HAH’-mud) left the country a year ago to train and fight with terrorists in Syria.
Mohamud is charged with supporting terrorism, supporting a terrorist group and making a false statement involving international terrorism. He pleaded not guilty at a hearing Friday.
Mohamud’s attorney says the charges were expected.
The indictment says Mohamud weighed which extremist group in Syria was more effective before his travels.
The indictment also says Mohamud talked about going to a military base in Texas on his return to kill soldiers with a backup plan to attack a prison.