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Case Against Alleged Synagogue Bomber Can Go Forward, Judge Rules

Suspects in the Manhattan synagogue plot, Ahmed Ferhani (l) and Mohamed Mamdouh, at their arraignment Thursday.
Suspects in the Manhattan synagogue plot, Ahmed Ferhani (l) and Mohamed Mamdouh, at their arraignment Thursday.
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MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — Prosecutors can move forward with their case against a Queens man accused of plotting to attack New York synagogues, a judge ruled Monday.

Ahmed Ferhani, 27, one of two men accused of hatching a terrorist scheme to blow up New York synagogues, was indicted on weapons possession, hate crime and terrorism conspiracy charges last June after a seven-month undercover police investigation.

Lawyers for Ferhani argued to dismiss the the unusual state-level terrorism case, claiming law enforcement had entrapped their client — who they said has been institutionalized more than 20 times for mental illness — during a sting operation.

Lawyers Barbara Fink and Lamis Deek acknowledged that their client purchased semi-automatic pistols, a revolver and a grenade as charged, but insisted he had no plans to use them to blow up a synagogue.