Free Al-Arian, Supporters Cry
Published: Dec 14, 2005
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TAMPA - About two dozen supporters of Sami Al-Arian rallied for his release Tuesday and urged federal authorities not to retry the former college professor on terrorism-related charges.
A jury last week acquitted Al-Arian on eight criminal charges and deadlocked on nine others. The Justice Department is considering trying Al-Arian again on the charges that deadlocked the jury. Authorities also might deport Al-Arian, a Palestinian born in Kuwait.
In the meantime, Al-Arian is being detained without bail. His attorney, William Moffitt, said Tuesday he plans to file a motion soon seeking his release.
Al-Arian's wife, Nahla, and daughter, Leena, did not speak but were among the demonstrators who gathered Tuesday afternoon outside the federal courthouse in downtown Tampa. The protesters waved signs reading, "The Jury Has Spoken. No New Trial," "Let Sami Out," and "Respect the Jury. Release Al-Arian."
The Rev. Warren Clark told the gathering, "We say release Dr. Sami Al-Arian from jail." He urged the federal officials not to seek another trial or deport Al-Arian.
"Don't put our community and these families through any more suffering," he said. "Don't waste any more of our tax money on this. ... Spend the money where it is needed."
Ahmed Bedier, spokesman for the Council on American Islamic Relations, said the jury's decision "sends a positive message about the greatness of America and the greatness of the American judicial system."
