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Terror-financing plot suspect free on bond

TOLEDO – An Ohio man charged along with his wife with plotting to help finance a Mideast terrorist group was released on bond Friday.

Family members offered several homes to secure the nearly $1 million property bond for Hor Akl, 37. U.S. District Court Judge James Carr granted the bond request Thursday.

Akl and his wife, Amera Akl, are charged with planning to conceal up to $500,000 to give to Hezbollah on behalf of anonymous donors in the United States.

The couple was alleged to be preparing to hide the money in a shipment to Lebanon.

The U.S. government lists Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and blames it for numerous attacks on Israel.

Akl and his wife have pleaded not guilty. Amera Akl was released on bond earlier.

Akl was ordered to stay in the family home, where the couple's three children live. Amera Akl was ordered to live with her sister. Both must surrender their passports and driver's licenses, and are prohibited from leaving home without approval.

The Akls face numerous charges, including conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

Prosecutors said Hor Akl traveled to Lebanon in March to arrange the delivery of money. He returned to the United States claiming that he had met with Hezbollah officials, the complaint said.

The Akls are dual citizens of the United States and Lebanon, the complaint said.