By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com
A Queens imam who admitted lying to FBI agents in the case of the aborted bombing plot of the New York City subway got a break: he won’t be heading off to prison.
A Brooklyn federal judge gave Afghan-born Imam Ahmad Afzali time served, which was four days, the Associated Press reported. But Afzali was ordered to leave the country within 90 days. He admitted tipping off Najibullah Zazi, a key person in the plot, that the FBI was looking for him.
The FBI broke up the plot before it could be executed.
”I take full responsibility for my actions,” the 38-year-old Afzali said in a tearful statement, the AP reported. “‘It was never my intention to help those idiots for what they did in the name of Islam.”
He said he’s not sure what country he’ll go to, the AP reported. ”I’m going to start shopping around,” he said.
Najibullah Zazi, a Colorado airport van driver, who was plotting to blow up the New York subway, pleaded guilty and is cooperating with authorities. Two other suspects have pleaded not guilty.
