Sep 25, 2009 6:22 am US/Eastern
Queens Imam Afzali: 'Know The Facts From Fiction'
Feds Soften Stance And Releas Cleric From Prison On $1.5 Million Bond, To Wear Monitoring Devices For Time Being
Reporting
Lou Young
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Ahmed Afzali, imam at the Islamic Center in Flushing, Queens, has been accused of double-crossing the FBI by agreeing to get information of suspected terrorist Najibullah Zazi, but then warning him instead. He was released on bail on Sept. 24, 2009.
CBS
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Najibullah Zazi, 24, arrives at the Byron G. Rogers Federal Building on Sept. 17, 2009, in Denver, Colo.
Marc Piscotty/Getty Images
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Mohammed Zazi, father of Najibullah Zazi, was arrested along with his son and a third man from New York City for possible ties to terrorists.
AP
The Queens imam suspected of lying to the FBI in this terror plot was released from jail on bond on Thursday afternoon.
Ahmad Afzali walked out of federal court in downtown Brooklyn, and headed home, where CBS 2 HD's Dave Carlin caught up to him for what is believed to be his first interview since leaving jail.
"Before being judged in the papers, media and TV, know the facts from fiction," Afzali said.
When asked if he's ever plotted against the United States, Afzali said, "Never, ever, in my life, in my life."
Earlier Thursday Afzali was supposed to be at a detention hearing, but the feds decided to let him go home. They said the cleric, who is being investigated for allegedly tipping off prime suspect Najibullah Zazi in a plot against New York City, is neither a flight risk nor a harm to the community.
"I'm really excited that my husband is home and thankful of you guys respecting our privacy," wife Fatima Afzali told CBS 2 HD at an afternoon press conference.
For the first time this week Fatima Afzali managed a smile, standing at her husband's side as he walked out of the courthouse.
"It's a great feeling," Ahmad Afzali told reporters.
It appears prosecutors are softening their stance on the Queens cleric.
"The imam did not blow this case; law enforcement blew this case, if the case has even been blown at all," attorney Ron Kuby said.
That's the story Ahmad Afzali is sticking to as he made a $1.5 million bail package, allowing him to remain under electronic monitoring at his parents' home on Parsons Boulevard, and at the Woodhaven funeral business he runs.
Afzali's family -- his mother and father, wife, sister and brother-in law -- all were in court and put up the collateral for the deal which will allows him to worship and conduct business in the New York Afghan community as he awaits trial on a charge of lying to FBI agents.
In court it was all good spirits and cordial relations between the defense and prosecution and the family seemed delighted at the prospect of his imminent release.
At one of the mosques he frequents, worshippers hadn't heard the news when they stopped by Thursday afternoon. Many here knew that Afzali sometimes worked with the police as a go-between to help contact in their world.
"It's really very good news, ya know, that he will be released," worshipper Mohammed Omar said.
An NYPD detective apparently asked him to contact Najibullah Zazi -- and he did -- and that's what got him in hot water the feds. His lawyer said the picture for his client, at least, has brightened.
"I'm not worried any longer. Obviously the government would not be consenting to his release on bail," Kuby said.
Afzali said he met Zazi as a teenager years ago and only contacted him recently at the request of the police. He said he was only trying to help.
CBS 2 HD asked Afzali if he has faith in the American justice system and he said yes.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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