MIAMI -- A Miami federal judge has found an elderly Muslim imam competent to stand trial on charges of helping finance the Pakistani Taliban terror group.
U.S. District Judge Robert Scola issued the brief order this week after 77-year-old Hafiz Khan underwent a psychiatric evaluation. Details of the evaluation were sealed by the judge.
Khan's defense attorney say he suffers from dementia and Alzheimer's disease. But prosecutors argued that Khan had to show he could not understand the legal proceedings and was unable to assist in his own defense.
Khan and one of his sons are charged with providing material support to terrorists by allegedly funneling about $50,000 to the Pakistani Taliban. They have pleaded not guilty. Charges were dropped against another of Khan's sons.
Trial is set for early January.
Associated Press