Teen Charged With Terrorism Attacked in Arizona Jail

Mahin Khan suffered minor injuries and is being kept in segregated housing
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 16, 2016 4:05 PM CDT
Teen Charged With Terrorism Attacked in Arizona Jail
Mahin Khan   (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office via AP)

An Arizona teen charged with plotting terrorist attacks in his home state was attacked in jail earlier this month, NBC News reports. Eighteen-year-old Mahin Khan suffered minor injuries when he was attacked by fellow inmates July 2—the day after his arrest. According to KNXV, Khan was being held in medium security at Maricopa County Jail at the time of the attack, which was only revealed Friday. Following his arrest, Khan was offered "voluntary segregation," which he turned down. He's now been moved to segregated housing. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says all inmates facing terror-related charges will be automatically isolated from the general population in the future.

Khan, who's from Tucson, pleaded not guilty to terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism on Tuesday, KPHO/KTVK reports. The FBI says Khan contacted terrorist group Terik-e Taliban Pakistan. He was allegedly planning bomb attacks at government buildings in Arizona. Khan's public defenders want his future hearings made off limits to the media, blaming previous coverage for the jail attack and expressing concern for his family's safety. (More terrorism stories.)

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