A Muslim professor at Indiana State University, in Terre Haute, Indiana, faked receiving threatening emails and being attacked on campus, according to police.

Terre Haute

The assistant professor of aviation technology has been arrested for having creating fake anti-Muslim threats in March, after he complained about receiving a series of emails containing anti-Muslim messages and threats.

Azhar Hussain, 56, was arrested on Friday and charged with felony charge of obstruction of justice and misdemeanor harassment, the Terre Haute’s Tribune-Star reported.

On March 8, Hussain claimed to have received threatening emails containing anti-Muslim threats, and on March 24, Hussain claimed that he was attacked from behind while entering his campus office.

But according to local police, the professor fabricated all of the incidents.

“Based upon the investigation, it is our belief that Hussain was trying to gain sympathy by becoming a victim of anti-Muslim threats which he had created himself,” Indiana State University Police Chief Joseph Newport said Friday. “It is extremely unfortunate that this situation caused undue concern on other members of the ISU community.”

Investigators tracked the emails sent to Hussain and determined that the professor had sent them himself.

Newport said campus crime alerts were sent out after the emails and the alleged assault.

University Provost Mike Licari told Law Newz that Hussain has not only been suspended from teaching, but the university is also seeking to formally dismiss him.