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Ashcroft to meet with Muslim leaders about hate crimes

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorney General John Ashcroft plans to meet with Washington-area Muslim leaders Tuesday about continued harassment and hate crimes against people apparently targeted in the wake of the September terrorist attacks.

Federal civil rights authorities are investigating at least 160 possible hate crimes aimed at Arabs, Muslims and Sikhs in the United States, Justice Department officials said Monday.

Federal prosecutors so far have indicted two men for hate crimes. In Salt Lake City, a man was indicted for targeting a small Arab-owned fast food restaurant, and in Seattle a suspect was indicted for damaging a mosque. State and local officials have filed criminal charges against several others.

Ashcroft, who has spoken out repeatedly against acts of discrimination based on race and religion, will hold talks Tuesday afternoon at the Justice Department with community leaders representing Arab-American, Sikh, and Muslim groups.

-- CNN Producer Terry Frieden contributed to this report.