Uncle says Noor Salman, Orlando shooter’s widow, is innocent
OAKLAND, Calif. — The uncle of a woman whose deceased husband shot dozens inside an Orlando nightclub says she is a victim herself and innocent of charges of helping her husband in the months leading up to the June massacre.
Al Salman, uncle of 30-year-old Noor Salman, said Tuesday that his niece knew nothing of her husband’s plan to attack the Pulse nightclub, killing 49 people. He said his niece Noor Salman was a “simple and innocent” woman who was physically and mentally abused by husband Omar Mateen, who died in a shootout with police.
Al Salman said Omar Mateen got what he deserved, and the son Mateen fathered with Noor Salman is with his grandmother. When Noor Salman was arrested, the child was told that “mom went to get you some toys,” Al Salman said.
Noor Salman’s attorney said at a brief court hearing that he’ll seek her release from jail pending trial. Salman said little and looked back at her uncle as she was led back to jail.
A two-count indictment says that between April and June of last year, Salman “did knowingly aid and abet” her husband’s attempt to support the Islamic State group.
The indictment accuses Salman of misleading police officers and FBI agents who were investigating the June 12, 2016, attack at the Pulse nightclub.
Federal prosecutors said they plan to prosecute the case in Orlando. It is unclear if Noor Salman can afford a lawyer. She was represented on Tuesday by a federal public defender who the judge said will continue representing her until her financial situation can be addressed by the court.
A judge scheduled another hearing Wednesday to formally appoint a lawyer to represent Salman, discuss transporting her to Florida to face federal charges and her possible release pending trial.