Top charge dropped against alleged synagogue plotters

Two men charged with plotting to blow up synagogues in the city got a break yesterday when a grand jury dropped the biggest charge against them, according to reports.

Ahmed Ferhani, 26, and Mohamed Mamdouh, 20, are no longer accused of conspiracy as a terror crime, which could have landed them behind bars for life. They pleaded not guilty to other charges, including criminal possession of a weapon as a terror crime, at their arraignment in Manhattan yesterday.

They now face up to 32 years in prison for the top charge if convicted.

The case has come under fire because state prosecutors pursued the charges without help from federal authorities, which usually handle terrorism cases.