New Jersey jihadists appear in Newark federal court; held without bail

New York, June 8 (ANI): Two New Jersey wannabe jihadists busted for allegedly trying to fly to Somalia to join a terror group appeared before a federal court in Newark and were ordered to remain in custody without bail.

Mohamed Mahmood Alessa, 20, and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, 24, are accused of trying to join al-Shabab, which was designated by the US as a terrorist group in 2008.

The men, wearing wrist and ankle shackles and sporting long black beards, were informed that they would face charges of conspiring to kill, maim and kidnap persons outside the United States by joining al-Shabab.

Alessa and Almonte spoke only to say they understood the charges against them. They did no enter pleas.

Both remained in custody pending a bail hearing on Thursday. If convicted, the two men could face life in prison. (ANI)