Appeal set on ruling to release terrorist suspect

[May 03, 2013]  CHICAGO (AP) -- A U.S. district judge in Chicago is scheduled to hear the government's appeal of a decision to release an Illinois teenager accused of seeking to join al-Qaida-linked militants in Syria.

The hearing in Abdella Ahmad Tounisi's case is set for Friday morning.

On Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Martin ruled the Aurora teen could be released under home confinement as he awaits trial.

But Martin stayed his own order for 24 hours to give prosecutors a chance to appeal. That means Tounisi wasn't immediately released.

U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang will hear arguments at the Friday hearing. If he upholds the release, Tounisi could be released later Friday.

Legal observers say orders allowing terrorist suspects out of jail pending trial are rare.

[Associated Press]

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