Trial Begins For Michael Hari, Illinois Man Charged With Masterminding 2017 Minnesota Mosque Bombing

Local News November 9, 2020 / 1:38 PM CST / CBS Chicago ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The leader of an anti-government group in Illinois and alleged mastermind behind a 2017 attack on a Minnesota mosque was acting on his hateful beliefs toward Muslims when he came up with a plan to pipe bomb the building during morning prayers, prosecutors said Monday.But defense attorneys for Michael Hari, 49, said during opening statements inhis trialthat there is no forensic evidence showing Hari was even at the mosque during the early morning bombing, which didn't cause any injuries but frightened community members."This case is about hatred. It's about prejudice," Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Ethen said. "It's about how Michael Hari used his hatred to justify physical violence against his victims."Hari has pleaded not guilty tomultiple civil rights and hate crimes, including damaging property because of its religious character, forcibly obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs, conspiracy to...