ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A federal appeals court has affirmed the conviction of the leader of an Illinois antigovernment militia for masterminding the 2017 bombing of a Minnesota mosque. A three-judge panel on Wednesday rejected all the legal arguments raised by Emily Claire Hari. Her attorneys argued that the relevant federal statute, regarding damaging religious property and the free exercise of religion, was invalid because it exceeded Congress’ authority. The court also rejected Hari’s claim that prosecutors violated attorney-client privilege when authorities seized two pages of notes from Hari’s cell during a shakedown. She is serving a 53-year prison sentence.
