Chicago ? A federal judge plans to decide this week whether she will allow Israeli intelligence agents to take the witness stand in a Chicago courtroom and testify using aliases and wearing disguises.

The case involves Palestinian activist Muhammad Salah, who is accused of illegally laundering funds for Hamas. The militant group is branded a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

Federal prosecutors want to use as evidence against Salah a confession that Israeli agents obtained from Salah in 1993 after he was arrested there. A hearing on whether to allow the confession is set for March 6, and prosecutors want the Israeli agents to testify, but they say extraordinary security measures are necessary for that to happen.

Salah, however, claims he confessed only after being tortured. If that is true, the confession most likely would not stand up in a U.S. court.

The agents’ testimony could help clear up the question. But prosecutors say “light disguises” and a courtroom closed to the public and press are needed to protect the agents from possible reprisals by terrorists.