S. Fla. Imams Accused Of Terrorism Seek Bail Again

MIAMI (CBS4) -- Two Muslim clerics accused of providing financial support to the Pakistani Taliban terrorist group are again seeking release on bail.

A hearing was set Friday in Miami federal court for 76-year-old Hafiz Muhammad Sher Ali Khan and his son, 24-year-old Izhar Khan. Both are imams at South Florida mosques.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the money sent by this group to Pakistan was used to buy guns and fund a madrassa (religious school) owned by Hafiz Khan which sheltered terrorists and trained children to kill Americans.

They have been in solitary confinement since their May 14 arrests.

A magistrate judge in May ordered both men held without bail until trial. Their lawyers said prosecutors have scant evidence that they pose any threat or would flee to Pakistan rather than stand trial.

Khurrum Wahid, who is representing Hafiz Khan, has vowed to prove his innocence.

"I have no question that through this process we are going to be able to vindicate Mr. Khan. I believe in the presumption of innocence and quite frankly there's nothing more un-American than presuming someone guilty and that's why we have this process," said Wahid.

A second son charged in the case, Irfan Kahn, will have a bail hearing July 15.

Three other people, including a daughter and grandson of the elder Khan, are also charged but remain in Pakistan.

(© 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)