Somali Man Can Withdraw Appeal In Terror Case

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a pipeline that funneled young men from Minnesota to a terrorist group in Somalia is being allowed to withdraw his appeal.

Forty-seven-year-old Mahamud Said Omar was sentenced in May on five terror-related counts. Authorities say he played a key role in pushing young men toward al-Shabab. Omar's attorneys insist he was a passive participant and filed notice they'd appeal his conviction and sentence.

But Omar said he didn't want to.

He was evaluated and found to be competent.

On Tuesday, Omar told Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Davis that he still wanted to withdraw his appeal. Davis granted that request, saying Omar made his decision "knowingly and voluntarily, and with a rational and factual understanding of these proceedings."

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