A Michigan defense lawyer is disputing FBI Director Kash Patel’s allegations that his 20-year-old client and four other young suspects were planning to carry out a terror attack on Halloween weekend. Announcing their arrests on Friday, Patel stated that more details would follow, however, the FBI and Michigan authorities have provided few specifics about the case. According to sources briefed on the investigation, discussions in an online chat room among some of the suspects suggested they may have been contemplating an attack referencing “pumpkin day” around Halloween.

However, attorney Amir Makled, representing one of the detained individuals from suburban Dearborn, expressed skepticism over the charges, stating he doesn’t expect any formal charges to be filed. He remarked, “I don’t know where this hysteria and this fearmongering came from,” and suggested that this incident is a misunderstanding among young men who engage in online gaming.

Patel claimed that the plot was inspired by extremist ideologies but could not confirm that the suspects possessed any means to execute such an attack. The FBI’s actions were commended for potentially averting a serious threat, although they emphasized that there was no wider risk to public safety following the arrests. Since the 9/11 attacks, the agency has been involved in several operations aimed at preventing perceived threats, often employing undercover tactics.

Local and national authorities remain engaged with the case, but further information continues to be limited.