MIAMI: An elderly Miami imam pleaded not guilty in US federal court on Monday to charges of supporting the Pakistani Taliban and was ordered held without bail.

The US government accuses 76-year-old Hafiz Mohammed Sher Ali Khan, four of his relatives and another person of funnelling money and providing support to the group.

He is the leader of Miami’s oldest mosque.

His attorney, Khurrum Wahid, expressed concern about his client being kept in jail. “He’s 76 years old and has health issues -- heart and cholesterol problems,” the lawyer said.

One of Sher Ali’s sons, 24-year-old Izhar Khan, also appeared in court for the first time since their indictment was unsealed. He is also an imam at a Florida mosque.

US Magistrate Judge Barry Garber scheduled another hearing for May 23. The six defendants are all Pakistanis, although some of them have US citizenship.—AFP