Justice Department To Investigate Killing of Dearborn Imam

Category: World News Published on Wednesday, 03 February 2010 14:15 Written by Chronicle Staff

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has signaled it has investigation into the shooting death of Dearborn imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah, of the Masjid Al-Haqq mosque.

The autopsy report shows that he was shot 21 times by FBI agents on Oct. 28.

Abdullah, 53, was shot in a warehouse in Dearborn. The autopsy report stated that his body was found in a semitrailer full of flat screen TVs. His wrists were handcuffed behind his back.

According to reports, the attorney for Amina Abdullah, the imam’s widow, seeks a second autopsy. Attorney Nabih Ayad has concerns about reports of lacerations to Abdullah’s hands. According to reports, he wants to know whether an FBI dog bit Abdullah before the imam shot the dog.

Rep. John Conyers (D- Mich.) has called for an independent investigation into Abdullah’s death.

Although the autopsy report was completed in November, Dearborn police had requested it not be released until now, as it is conducting its own investigation.

The FBI reportedly told a Medical Examiner’s Office investigator that they opened fire after Abdullah shot the dog they had sent in. The FBI was reportedly investigating a violent separatist group, and was about to make arrests in connection with the alleged fencing of stolen goods when Abdullah allegedly opened fire.

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) executive director Dawud Walid has filed a Freedom of Information Act request, find out if any FBI video exists.

A Justice Department investigation is under way.