The FBI is curtailing its relationship with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), over concerns about the Muslim advocacy group's ties to Hamas.
The decision comes after CAIR was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator at a trial of Hamas fundraisers. The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development was convicted late last year on charges of illegally funneling money to Hamas. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
CAIR insists it was not a conspirator with the Holy Land Foundation, and it has decried the FBI's move to disassociate itself from CAIR.
"This is an unfortunate legacy of the Bush administration's misguided and counterproductive efforts to marginalize mainstream American Muslim organizations," CAIR's national office said in a statement to FOXNews.com. "It is not surprising that we would be singled out by those in the previous administration who sought to prevent us from defending the civil rights of American Muslims. We look forward to better relations with the Obama administration."
The FBI also issued a statement on the issue Friday: "The FBI has had to limit its formal contact with CAIR field offices until certain issues are addressed by CAIR's national headquarters," said FBI spokesman John Miller. "CAIR's leadership is aware of this. Beyond that, we have no further comment."
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