Al-Arian Bonds Out

by IPT News • Sep 2, 2008 at 5:42 pm

http://www.investigativeproject.org/blog/2008/09/al-arian-bonds-out

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Sami Al-Arian reportedly walked out of a jail cell Tuesday for the first time since February 2003 after the Department of Homeland Security decided not to contest his attorneys' latest efforts to secure his freedom.

Al-Arian faces two counts of criminal contempt in an indictment issued in June for his refusal to testify before a federal grand jury investigating terror financing by a Virginia think tank. His trial, originally scheduled for Aug. 13, was postponed indefinitely by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, pending the outcome of an appeal submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Al-Arian argues that his 2006 guilty plea to conspiring to provide goods and services to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) ruled out any "cooperation" with federal prosecutors. Prosecutors argue a grand jury subpoena is compelled testimony, not voluntary, and that there is no language in the plea agreement concerning cooperation or any promises not to seek any.

You can read more about the case here and here.

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What Rights?

Submitted by Ray, Sep 3, 2008 17:55

Sami Al-Arian or any other terrorist or supporter of, should not be able to bond out of anything. I think there should be 2 available consequences: 1) Automatic life prison term in a U.S. maximum security prison with no chance at parol for any reason, and 2) Immediate deportation with the rule that they NEVER return, or face consequence #1.

His guilty plea was an admission that he supported a known terrorist organization. Period. End of story. Terrorists and terrorism supporters should not receive the same benefits and rights that American citizens receive when charged with a crime. The crime of terrorism should be an automatic revocation of any and all rights afforded those who are loyal to America.

Groups within the U.S. (MB, CAIR, ISNA, MSA, etc.) should receive the same...nothing but automatic and immediate deportation.

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