Thursday, November 03, 2011
Amina Farah Ali, 35, of Rochester was convicted last month of funneling money to terrorist group al-Shabab in Somalia. She’s been ordered held while she awaits sentencing on 13 terrorism-related counts.
She was originally sent to the Sherburne County Jail, where she was not allowed to wear her head covering for security reasons. Her attorney, Dan Scott, said Wednesday that he was working with officials in Sherburne County to accommodate Ali’s religious views.
But on Monday, Ali was transferred to the Ramsey County jail.
Scott said Ali is allowed to wear the scarf when meeting people or leaving her cell block, but Ali told him she can’t wear it in the primary area where she is being held.
Randy Gustafson, a Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department spokesman, confirmed Ali has been allowed to wear the scarf under certain circumstances.
“We’re trying our best to accommodate her religious views,” he said.
Thomas Volk, U.S. Marshals spokesman, said the transfer was based on a “law enforcement purpose.” He said the Marshals Service does not comment on correctional matters.
The Sherburne County sheriff did not return a phone message seeking comment Wednesday.
Ali faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.
If sentenced to federal prison, Ali would likely be allowed to wear a head scarf.
Scott has said that as part of Ali’s faith, she believes she must dress modestly in front of men who are not her relatives. That modest dress includes a head scarf.