Prosecutors have convened a grand jury to investigate allegations that San Diego County Somali-Americans were urged "to attend a terrorist training camp in the Middle East and return to launch attacks on fellow Americans," according to a published report.
Another grand jury is conducting a similar investigation in Minneapolis, according to published reports. The Twin Cities were home to Shirwa Ahmed, the first known U.S. citizen who was a suicide bomber. The 27-year-old man was a U.S. citizen who lived in that since before his first birthday.
Dozens of people from the local Somali community -- the fifth largest in America -- have been interviewed by the FBI, reported the voiceofsandiego.org.
"I suspect they're looking into any kind of organized financing, material support, and/or indoctrination and radicalization of Somali youth," defense attorney Mahir Sherif told the news Web site.
The local Somali population is believed to be around 20,000 and 30,000. Sherif said community members were concerned about the probe, according to the voiceofsandiego.org.
"It's not necessarily the FBI's fault but it has raised the level of anxiety in the community," Sherif said.
