Judge Overrules Decision To Release Terror Suspect

05:10

May 03, 2013

Family and supporters of 18-year-old Abdella Ahmad Tounisi, including his father, Ahmad Tounisi, left, leave federal court Thursday, May 2, 2013, in Chicago, after a federal judge agreed to release the Illinois teenager charged with trying to join an al-Qaida-linked militant group in war-torn Syria. (M. Spencer Green/AP)

Abdella Ahmad Tounisi of Aurora, Illinois. (Handout photo/Tounisi family)

A U.S. District judge in Chicago has ordered that 18-year-old Abdella Ahmad Tounisi of Aurora, Illinois, continue to be detained on terrorism-related charges.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang reverses a decision made a day earlier by a magistrate judge to release Tounisi to house arrest, with electronic monitors.

That decision was put on hold yesterday, after prosecutors quickly submitted an appeal.

Chang agreed with prosecutors that the teenager poses a danger and is a flight risk.

Chicago Tribune: Judge overrules release order on terrorism suspect

Guest:

Annie Sweeney, federal courts and crime reporter for the Chicago Tribune. She tweets @Annie1221.

This segment aired on May 3, 2013.