MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A number of Minneapolis-area Somalis are being asked to testify before a federal grand jury.

It’s part of an investigation into whether young Somali-American men were radicalized here and recruited to fight with terror groups in their homeland.

Details about the investigation are limited because grand jury proceedings are secret. Government officials say they can’t confirm or deny any investigations.

That leaves some Somalis nervous. They say in their country a government investigation means “real trouble.”

Omar Hurre is the director of Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center. He says he’s trying to reassure his community that only criminal elements need to worry.

FBI officials say they’re reaching out to the community as well, including appearances on local Somali television.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

comments