Alleged killer of Muslim cleric and assistant, is Dominican

New York.- While he was brought before a judge for arraignmentin the execution-style killings of Muslim leaders Mualama Akonjee 55, and hisassistant Thara Uddin, 64, of Oscar Morel’s relatives, outside the courthouse confirmedthat the defendant is Dominican.

Morel faces charges in the murders of the imam (priest) andhis assistant after leaving a mosque, which have rocked the city. If convictedhe faces two consecutive life sentences.

Relatives quoted by elnuevodiario.com.do said the familyemigrated from Santiago in the Dominican Republic to New York decades ago.

The suspect has pleaded not guilty but was denied bail andwill be questioned by a grand jury today Wednesday.

Morel appears in a security camera video near the mosque,shooting both Muslims and then fleeing. He has refused to talk to police,prosecutors ot the media on the reasons behind the killings.