DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Attorneys for a Dearborn man accused of providing support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, better known as ISIS, say their client might be incompetent to stand trial on terrorism charges.
The Detroit News reported Tuesday the lawyers seek a competency examination and neuropsychological testing for Ibraheem Musaibli. The attorneys say in a federal court filing they have noticed Musaibli increasingly struggling to comprehend advice and information.
Federal prosecutors aren't challenging the request made on behalf of the 28-year-old Musaibli, U.S. citizen who captured on a battlefield in Syria last year. Prosecutors allege he received training and fired a machine gun while fighting with ISIS.
Federal authorities allege that Musaibli's work with ISIS put the U.S. at risk, and may have endangered the lives of countless innocent people.
"The indictment alleges that, for a substantial period of time, defendant Musaibli provided material support to ISIS — one of the most violent terrorist organizations in the world. During that same time, American-backed coalition forces were fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria," said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider, when the indictment was unsealed last summer, adding, "We will vigorously prosecute anyone who provides, or even attempts to provide, support to terrorists."
Musaibli first appeared in court in July, and more charges were added last week.
His relatives, meanwhile, insist he is now an ISIS fighter and that he was visiting Syria for work and to study religion.
