An Ohio professor known for his anti-Israel views is being investigated by the FBI for possible ties to the terrorist group ISIS.
The FBI confirmed its investigation of Kent State professor Julio Pino this week. Pino is a Muslim convert who has been under investigation for a year and a half.
FBI agents began questioning students on campus, some of whom are suspected being recruited by Pino to join ISIS, according to Kentwired.com, a student-run Kent State publication.
University President Beverly Warren said in a statement, "We are cooperating with the FBI, and we have been assured that there is no indication of a threat to campus."
Pino has denied the allegations and claims that he sympathizes with the terror group.
He said at a press conference on Thursday that he has "no ties to any politics of Islam, the Islamic State or any other political organization here in the United States or abroad."
"I have never discussed the politics of Islam, the Islamic State or any other political organization with the students, with the faculty or with anyone else on campus," he added.
But on his personal Facebook page, Pino has posted photos of ISIS militants and criticized the U.S government. When asked about his post, he said they were open to people's interpretations.
He has also publicly expressed anti-Israeli sentiments.
Kentwired.com interviewed several of Pino's students and some described him as "off," and "racially insensitive on multiple instances."
Others said that they didn't remember him making any charged comments.
President Warren said Dr. Pino would be allowed to carry on instructing students during the investigation, according to The New York Times. He has not been charged or found guilty of a crime.
"And so at this point, we do not feel that removing Professor Pino is the right course of action."
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