A federal judge denied bail Wednesday for three Minnesota men accused of trying to join the Islamic State group.
But U.S. District Judge Michael Davis left the door open for future pretrial release for Hamza Ahmed, 20, and Zacharia Abdurahman and Hanad Musse, both 19, saying he'll carefully consider plans designed to reintegrate them into the community.
The three men are among seven Minnesota residents charged this year with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Their attorneys argued Wednesday that the men should be released pending trial under plans designed to steer them in a positive direction.
All three men have pleaded not guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Winter argued the men should stay in custody, saying the men are still a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Authorities say the three men took a bus to New York City in November and were stopped at an airport before they could travel overseas. Ahmed was arrested in February, and Musse and Abdurahman were arrested in April.
Investigators have said a handful of Minnesota residents have travelled to Syria to fight with militants. Since 2007, more than 22 young Somali men have also travelled from Minnesota to Somalia to join the terrorist group al-Shabab.
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