By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Defense attorneys representing five of the six Lackawanna men accused of supporting terrorism are expected to submit final papers Thursday to appeal a bail decision.
Attorneys for the five ordered to remain in custody submitted an initial application to appeal US Magistrate Kenneth Schroeder's no-bail decision. Thursday, they must submit a final filing on the request to US district judge William Skretny.
Defense attorney Joseph Latona says they are submitting the appeal on behalf of his client Faysal Galab, as well as Mukhtar al Bakri, Yahya Goba, Shafal Mosed and Yasein Taher.
Attorneys say even though their clients are being detained, they seem to be in a good frame of mind.
"He's (Galab) is hanging in there, he's hanging in there," Latona said.
John Molloy says his client, al-Bakri, is also doing "fine" as he awaits the filing of the bail appeal.
"He's doing well. He's in custody hoping to get home," Molloy said. "We've appealed the magistrate's order. We're hoping to argue that in front of Judge Skretny. Hopefully, he'll reverse it so these fellows can go home."
al Bakri gave lengthy statements to the FBI, admitting to attending an al Qaida training camp and placed the five others at the camp with him.
Alwan also placed the co-defendants at the camp. Alwan is the only one who will be released on bail once he raises $600,000. His attorney James Harrington says Alwan is also doing "well" as he remains in custody.
"He's an optimistic person. He's also pretty philosophical. That helps him, I think, in this situation," Harrington said.
Harrington says he could not discuss where Alwan will stay when released on bail.