Judge Sets Hearing on Deradicalizing Terrorism Defendants

MINNEAPOLIS -- A federal judge in Minnesota has scheduled a two-day hearing next month on efforts to deradicalize terrorism defendants.

U.S. District Judge Michael Davis set the hearing for Sept. 20 and 21. The program initially will be applied to four men who have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State group.

The defendants have to be at the hearing. German deradicalization expert Daniel Koehler, who assessed several of the defendants, will testify at the hearing.

Davis has handled Minnesota's recent terrorism cases. The program is aimed at deradicalizing terrorism defendants so they don't engage in similar activities again.

Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the U.S. and has been a target for terrorism recruiters.