Men Charged in Synagogue Attack Scheme Due in Court

Two men charged with plotting to blow up synagogues in New York City may be due to find out whether a grand jury has indicted them.     

Ahmed Ferhani and Mohamed Mamdouh have a court date Tuesday in Manhattan. They're scheduled for a procedural appearance at which prosecutors say whether a defendant has been indicted but don't usually disclose the charges.     

The 26-year-old Ferhani and 20-year-old Mamdouh deny the allegations. At their arraignment last week, they were charged with conspiracy as a crime of terrorism under a rarely-used state law.    

Authorities say Ferhani was arrested in a sting buying guns, ammunition and an inert hand grenade. Mamdouh was picked up a few blocks away.     

Prosecutors say an undercover detective secretly taped both men discussing a synagogue attack.