Suspect in terror-funding case released on bond

Associated Press

TOLEDO

An Ohio man charged along with his wife with plotting to help finance a Mideast terrorist group was released on bond Friday.

Family members offered several homes to secure the nearly $1 million property bond for Hor Akl, 37. U.S. District Court Judge James Carr granted the bond request Thursday.

Akl and his wife, Amera Akl, are charged with planning to conceal up to $500,000 to give to Hezbollah on behalf of anonymous donors in the United States.

The couple was alleged to be preparing to hide the money in a shipment to Lebanon.

The U.S. government lists Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and blames it for numerous attacks on Israel.

Akl and his wife have pleaded not guilty. Amera Akl was released on bond earlier.

Akl was ordered to stay in the family home, where the couple’s three children live. Amera Akl was ordered to live with her sister. Both must surrender their passports and driver’s licenses and are prohibited from leaving home without approval.

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