Man accused of supporting terrorism wants charges dropped

BUFFALO: A New York man accused of making plans to join the Islamic State group in Syria wants the charges against him dropped.

Arafat Nagi's (NAH'-geez) lawyer has filed a motion to dismiss an indictment charging the Lackawanna (lak-ah-WAH'-nah) man with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.

A federal court hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Buffalo.

Authorities say Nagi was planning his third trip to Turkey, with plans to continue to Syria to join the fighters, at the time of his arrest last summer. They say he'd bought a machete, night goggles and body armor, and pledged allegiance online to the Islamic State group.

Defence lawyer Jeremy Schwartz says charging Nagi for allegedly trying to join a particular group violates his constitutional rights, including freedom of speech.