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Seven Juveniles Arrested In Springfield, Massachusetts Mosque Fire

Dec. 14, 2004

Seven 15-year-old juveniles have been arrested for allegedly starting the fire that destroyed a mosque last week, according to the district attorney, who said it was not a hate crime.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Seven 15-year-old juveniles have been arrested for allegedly starting the fire that destroyed a mosque last week, according to the district attorney, who said it was not a hate crime.

``There is no anti-Islamic conspiracy involved in this case,'' Hampden District Attorney William Bennett said.

None of the juveniles or their families were members of the mosque.

Three were arraigned on Tuesday on charges of arson and breaking and entering. The other four are scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday. Bennett has not yet determined whether they will be tried as adults.

An investigation determined that the fire last Wednesday at the Al-Baqi Islamic Center had been deliberately set, and investigators found evidence of a break-in at the mosque.

Officials have said the fire was likely started on the second floor of the building, a former school