Lawyers: Plea deal likely for imam accused of lying to feds investigating NYC terrorism plot

Lawyers: Plea deal likely in imam NYC terror case

NEW YORK — Prosecutors say they’re close to reaching a plea deal with an imam accused of lying to FBI agents investigating a foiled suicide bomb plot against New York City.

Ahmad Afzali (AKH’-mahd ahf-ZAH’-lee) made a brief appearance Tuesday in federal court in Brooklyn. Both prosecutors and Afzali’s attorney indicated in their remarks to a judge that a plea deal was likely. He’s due back in court Thursday.

Authorities arrested Afzali last year amid the investigation of admitted al-Qaida associate Najibullah Zazi (nah-jee-BOO’-lah ZAH’-zee). Zazi pleaded guilty last week to plotting to use homemade bombs in a “martyrdom operation” against the subways.

Prosecutors say Afzali alerted Zazi by telephone that he was under surveillance when he arrived in New York in September to carry out the attack.