Update on Dr. Sami al-Arian's hearing today in Virginia

From Mauri' Saalakhan who does a lot of good work opposing the war on Sudan among other issues.  Check out his website at peacethrujustice.org

THE PEACE AND JUSTICE FOUNDATION

11006 Veirs Mill Rd, STE L-15, PMB 298

Silver Spring, MD. 20902

 

June 30, 2008

Assalaamu Alaikum

(Greetings of Peace):

 

At the base of the statue that graces the top of the entrance to the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, is a quotation that is most appropriate for a federal courthouse featuring the latest chapter in the five year saga of Dr. Sami al-Arian & Family. The quotation reads: "Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied."

 

My nephew and I arrived at the courthouse this morning at about 10:15, only to be informed that Br. Sami's hearing had been postponed to 1:00. (It appears that the reason for the delay is because Sami was still in transport to the city.) We waited around until 1pm when the proceedings began; what follows is a quick review of the outcome.

 

1). If the date doesn't change, the trial should begin in the court of Judge Leonnie Brinkema on the morning of Wednesday, August 13, 2008. (Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.)

 

2). A motions hearing is pending - as well as a bond hearing, to determine whether or not Sami will be released to a "third party custodian" pending the outcome of the trial.

 

3). Brinkema raised questions about Sami's personal history, and received the following information for the record: (a) Dr. Sami al-Arian has been in the country since 1975; (b) he has no criminal history predating this case; (c) all family members are U.S. citizens.

 

His defense argued that given his years of residence in the country and extensive familial ties within the U.S., he does NOT constitute a "flight risk." The government's lead prosecutor (Kromberg) countered, given the strong possibility that Egypt will accept him (upon deportation), and the fact that his wife has been residing in Egypt, hedoes constitute a flight risk.

 

The defense then argued that the government has all of the defendant's papers (i.e. travel documents), and Dr. al-Arian could easily be placed on an electronic monitoring device. Furthermore, given the nature of this case and what the government has done (in violation of its own agreement) it's only fair/just that he and his family should be accorded some measure of relief pending the outcome of this upcoming trial. (We couldn't agree more!)

 

On a positive note, until a determination is made concerning his pre-trial release - and should he not be released - it appears that Sami al-Arian will be held at the county facility not far from the courthouse in Northern Virginia. This will make it easier for his family to visit and for his attorneys to have access.

 

In closing, it is imperative that supporters of Dr. Sami al-Arian pack the courtroom for both the upcoming BOND HEARING and TRIAL. As an indication of the type of spirit that's going to be needed, a couple of non-Muslim supporters of Sami's from the Tampa area learned late yesterday that the brother's case was going to be heard in Virginia today. Mel Underbakke, Ph.D., and Fred Bryant were already well on their way back home when they decided to turn around and DRIVE THROUGH MUCH OF THE NIGHT so that they could show their support before returning to Tampa. Need I say more?

 

Insha'Allah, as we get solid info on the bond hearing and other pertinent matters, we will pass it on.

 

In the struggle for peace thru justice,

 

El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan