A civil liberties group in Los Angeles has amended its lawsuit alleging the FBI spied in mosques to include new claims the bureau used anti-Muslim training materials.
Peter Bibring, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California said Thursday that FBI training materials included quotes from Islamic texts that were taken out of context to show the religion preaches violence.
The FBI has acknowledged a lecture at its training academy was critical of Islam but this was discontinued. In a statement, the FBI said policy changes were under way to ensure all training was consistent with FBI standards.
The amended lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims the FBI paid an informant to infiltrate Southern California mosques, violating Muslims’ freedom of religion by conducting indiscriminate surveillance because of their faith.