The Latest: New Jersey imam speaks out against violence

FILE - This September 2016 file photo provided by Union County Prosecutor's Office shows Ahmad Khan Rahami, who is in custody as a suspect in the weekend bombings in New York and New Jersey. Rahami worked as an unarmed night guard for two months in 2011 at an AP administrative technology office in Cranbury, N.J. At the time, he was employed by Summit Security, a private contractor. Rahami remained hospitalized Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, after a shootout the day before with police in New Jersey. (Union County Prosecutor's Office via AP, File) (The Associated Press)

prev next

In this Sept. 17, 2016 file photo, first responders work near the scene of an explosion in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, in New York. Although the pressure cooker bomb that wounded over two dozen people on the street went off in front of an apartment building for the blind, none of the building's residents were hurt in the blast. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE- In this Sept. 18, 2016 file photo, crime scene investigators work the scene of a pressure cooker bomb explosion in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, in New York. Although the device that wounded over two dozen people on the street went off in front of an apartment building for the blind, none of the building's residents were hurt in the blast. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File) (The Associated Press)

The Latest on the Sept. 17 bombings in New York and New Jersey, the investigation and the case against a New Jersey man (all times local):

2:45 p.m.

A New Jersey imam spoke against violence and in support of law enforcement during the first Friday prayer service since a local man was charged in the New Jersey and New York bombings.

Imam Syed Fakhruddin Alvi urged the more than 100 men gathered at the Muslim Community Center of Union County to unite and be vigilant in leading their families and children away from evil.

Mosque members say the father of suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami is an active member of the mosque and frequently prays there, including this week.

Rahami was injured by police after a shootout in Linden hours after he was named the suspect in Saturday's bombings. He is recovering in a hospital.

Leaders called Rahami misguided and say people who follow extremist teachings are criminals.

___

Noon

A federal judge has denied a public defender's request that the man charged in bombings in the New York City-region be appointed a lawyer. Prosecutors say Ahmad Khan Rahami has not officially been arrested yet by federal authorities.

Magistrate Judge Mark Falk on Friday ruled against New Jersey public defender Richard Coughlin's request.

Federal prosecutors opposed the request and say Rahami has been incapacitated at the hospital. Coughlin says he has no reason to doubt that.

Rahami faces federal charges for the bombs that exploded in New York City and a New Jersey seaside community and state charges after a shootout with police in New Jersey.

Rahami was shot multiple times in a shootout in Linden on Monday. Two officers were treated for minor injuries.

___

3 a.m.

The father of the man charged with setting off bombs in New York and New Jersey says he informed the FBI in 2014 about his son's apparent radicalization.

Speaking to The Associated Press early Friday in a telephone interview, Mohammad Rahami, father of alleged bomber Ahmad Khan Rahami, said his son underwent a personality change after visiting Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2013. Speaking in Urdu, Mohammed Rahami said his son's mind was not that same. He said his son had become "bad," and that he didn't know what caused it, but he informed the FBI about it.

The elder Rahami said he doesn't think the FBI took any action against his son at the time. He condemned the bombings and said he and his family were in a state of shock

___

Ahmed reported from Islamabad