2 NJ men accused in terrorism plot to appear in federal court for bail hearing

2 NJ men accused in terror plot to appear in court

NEWARK, N.J. — Two New Jersey men accused of trying to join a terrorist group in Somalia are due in federal court.

Prosecutors say Mohamed Mahmood Alessa and Carlos Eduardo Almonte conspired to kill, harm and kidnap persons outside the United States. They have a bail hearing scheduled for Thursday in Newark.

They were arrested Saturday night at New York’s Kennedy Airport as they prepared to fly to Egypt.

Prosecutors say the two intended to head to Somalia to seek terror training from al-Qaida-affiliated jihadists.

Court documents say the men had no contact with Somali terrorists and they had hoped they’d be accepted by a terrorist group.

Law enforcement became aware of them in 2006 following a tip.