NEW YORK -- An imam charged with lying in the investigation of an alleged terrorism plot against New York says he's a loyal American who was framed.
Ahmad Afzali (AKH'-mahd ahf-ZAH'-lee) told reporters before a pretrial hearing in Brooklyn on Friday that he is innocent and hopes "justice will prevail."
Afzali is charged with lying to the FBI about the investigation of Najibullah Zazi (nah-jee-BOO'-lah ZAH'-zee). The Colorado airport driver is accused of getting training from al-Qaida to build homemade bombs to attack New York City.
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Prosecutors say Afzali tipped off Zazi that he was under surveillance.
Afzali's attorneys say Afzali called Zazi at the request of bumbling NYPD detectives and have accused authorities of setting a "perjury trap."
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