Three men were taken into custody earlier in the week after police in Chicago raided an apartment. The three were being held on terrorism conspiracy charges and accused of making Molotov cocktails they allegedly were planning to use at the upcoming NATO summit.
Sarah Gelsomino, their attorney said, “My clients are completely in shock and do not know why they have been charged.”
Later on Saturday, the three were to appear in court for a hearing about bond on the charges of terrorism conspiracy, possession of an incendiary or explosive device and giving material support. On Wednesday, another six suspects were also arrested in the raid in the South Side section of the city. Those six were released on Friday without being formally charged.
All three came last April to Chicago to participate in the May Day protests. Bill Vassilakis, an activist said he allowed all three to share his apartment while they were in Chicago. He said that Betterly had volunteered to help with wiring at a meatpacking facility that had been converted to a food incubator with the backing of the city, since he was an electrician.
Vassilakis said the charges in his opinion were not warranted.
