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WILMINGTON – The brother of a man in prison for his involvement in a North Carolina-based terrorist cell appeared in federal court in Wilmington Friday.

Shkumbin Sherifi is accused of trying to pay a hit man more than $4,000 to kill several witnesses in his brother's trial.

Last year, Hysen Sherifi was found guilty of conspiring to provide material support to terrorism and conspiring to carry out attacks overseas.

Authorities say a jail informant told them Hysen was the mastermind behind a murder for hire plot.

Shkumbin Sherifi was in court for a preliminary examination and detentions hearing, it's to determine if there's probable cause to keep him in custody.

The prosecution brought an FBI agent to the stand, who testified that they have video surveillance and recordings of phone calls between the defendant and his brother and between the defendant and another informant posing as a hit man.

The defense questioned the reliability of the informants and said the evidence did not prove Sherifi had any knowledge of the plot.

But the prosecution said the recordings are enough evidence and the judge agreed.

The courtroom was filled with about a dozen supporters of the Sherifi family.

"The judge said it's not an air tight case so the prosecution still has a job to do and so does the defense so we will just wait for that," said Farris Barakat.

Sherifi has 14 days to appeal the judges decision.

A female suspect in the murder for hire plot, Nevine Elshiekh will be in court Feb. 3.