STATEMENT ON SENTENCING OF MAN WHO KILLED IMAM MAULANA AKONJEE AND THARA UDDIN

USANEWSONLINE.COM DESK, QUEENS, NY – Queens Borough President Melinda Katz stated the following in response to the sentence issued today to Oscar Morel, convicted for murdering Imam Maulana Akonjee and his aide Thara Uddin as they walked home following prayers at Al-furqan Jame Masjid in Ozone Park in August 2016. Morel was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

“Morel executed Imam Akonjee and Thara Uddin mere blocks from the mosque in cold blood, from which the community still reels and mourns to this day. The two men were fathers devoted to their faith, their families and the community, and their murder shook the community and instilled fear through its core. The justified sentence delivered today sends a powerful message that in Queens, such heinous acts of hate will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Queens thanks the stellar team at District Attorney Richard Brown’s Office for this strong delivery of justice.” Press Release.