Lawyers doubt competency of local man accused of fighting for Islamic State

DETROIT (AP) - Attorneys for a Detroit-area man accused of providing support to the Islamic State group say their client might be incompetent to stand trial on terrorism charges.

The Detroit News reports 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, captured last year in Syria. He first appeared in court in July, and more charges were added last week.

Prosecutors allege he received training and fired a machine gun while fighting with IS.

Musaibli's relatives say he isn't an IS fighter, and the U.S. citizen was in Syria to work and study religion.

Published: Thu, Apr 18, 2019