New York Police has detained two women, including a Pakistani-born national, over terrorism charges. According to reports, police arrested them after a secret operation was conducted in Queens where Pakistani-born American national was identified as Aasia Siddiqui, while other woman was identified as Novell Velentiez.
Police also recovered a grass tank, pressure cooker, fertilizer and a written method of bomb-making note from the spot.
Both women were presented before the court where prosecutor stated that Aasia's marriage was published in an Al Qaeda's newspaper, while Novell considered Osama Bin Laden as her hero.
Aasia's lawyer said that she is innocent while Novell's husband stated that she is not only a good wife, but also a good mother too. She can never think about any terrorism.
The Imam at their mosque is supporting the women and says that they're good people.
"There were no signs of someone being radical," said Charles Aziz Bilal, the defendants' Imam.
No radicalisation, just false allegations, according to the Imam of a mosque in Jamaica, where 28-year-old Noelle Valentzas and her friend, Assia Siddiqui, 31, had worshipped for the past five years.
Friday, their Imam invited cameras in during worship and staunchly denied the recent terror allegations.
"Do you have reason to believe they're false," Eyewitness News asked.
"Under no uncertain terms they're false," Bilal said.