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Lawyers Want Off Terrorism Case In Idaho Due To Budget Cuts

Fazliddin Kurbanov Sketch
Ward Hooper
/
Idaho Statesman

Lawyers for an Uzbek national facing federal terrorism-related charges in Idaho and Utah want a judge to let them withdraw from the case, saying federal budget cuts have left their office with too few resources.  

Fazliddin Kurbanov, 30, of Boise, has pleaded not guilty to charges involving teaching people to build bombs.

Court-appointed attorneys Richard Rubin and Thomas Monaghan, of Federal Defenders Services of Idaho, are seeking appointment of new counsel.

Rubin told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Congress' across-the-board budget cuts known as "sequestration" have reduced his budget by 10 percent this fiscal year, and as much as an 14 percent next year.

Rubin says Kurbanov would be better off getting another lawyer now, while the case is still in its initial phase.

Kurbanov was arrested May 17.

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