FBI accuses sub shop owner of trying to make explosives

DETROIT (WXYZ) - The wife of 49-year-old Alaa Manuel Qasawa sobbed in a federal courtroom Thursday as she learned he would not be going home with her and other relatives.

In court documents, an FBI agent agent wrote that "Qasawa may be attempting to make an improvised explosive device and is in the process of acquiring the necessary components".

But Mitch Ribitwer, an attorney for Qasawa, believes the government overreacted and says the father of four is simply a collector of military items.

"Eventually, the truth will come out and hopefully he'll be vindicated", said Ribitwer..

Another attorney for Qasawa, Doraid Markus, tells 7 Action News that his client wasn't looking to make a bomb and he's not a terrorist."

Markus says FBI agents seized his client's guns, grenades and computers. He says all of the guns are legal and registered.

Markus added that some of the grenades are fake and for display purposes only. But, on some holidays, he says his client would detonate grenades containing small amounts of explosive material in his backyard.

Qasawa owns a Tubby's on Lapeer Road in Orion Township. The sub shop and Qasawa's West Bloomfield home were searched by FBI agents on Wednesday.

In early August, an employee of Inert Products, LLC became concerned and contacted authorities after Qasawa requested items, including blasting caps, that Inert Products only sells to the government for training purposes and movie makers.

That employee of Inert Products worked with the FBI to tape conversations with Qasawa.

In court documents, the FBI agent heading up the case wrote that the conversations demonstrate "Qasawa's intent to assemble, test, and use the explosive devices".

Qasawa will remain in the custody of U.S. Marshals until, at least, Monday, September 10, when he is set to appear back in federal court for a detention hearing.