Indictment Pursued Against Islamic School Head

Mohammad Abdullah Saleem is charged with sexual assault

The attorney for a prominent religious leader accused of sexual assault said he expects a grand jury to return an indictment against the head of a suburban Chicago Islamic school.

Evidence is expected to be presented to a grand jury later this week in the case of 75-year-old Mohammad Abdullah Saleem of Gilberts, according to Saleem's new attorney Raymond Wigell.

Saleem appeared in a Rolling Meadows courtroom on Tuesday on charges of sex abuse and battery of a female school employee. Those charges were filed last month.

Wigell said Tuesday his client was "doing fine."

"We anticipate a plea of not guilty to all charges, all counts involved," he said.

The prominent Islamic scholar head of the popular Institute of Islamic Education in Elgin posted a $25,000 bond last month and was released. Wigell said he's maintained a presence in the community.

Saleem also faces a civil lawsuit in connection with the case. Wigell brushed off the civil suit, saying "it's all about money."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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