An imam is facing a judge on charges that he lied to FBI agents investigating a foiled suicide bomb plot against New York City.

Ahmad Afzali (AKH'-mahd ahf-ZAH'-lee) was expected to appear Thursday afternoon in Brooklyn federal court. Prosecutors and Afzali's attorney indicated this week that a plea deal was likely.

Authorities arrested Afzali last year during the investigation of an admitted al-Qaida associate.

Najibullah Zazi (nah-jee-BOO'-lah ZAH'-zee) has pleaded guilty to plotting to use homemade bombs in a "martyrdom operation" against the subways.

Prosecutors say Afzali told Zazi that he was under surveillance when he arrived in New York in September.

Zazi is a former Colorado airport shuttle driver who attended high school in Queens.