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Variety, February 19, 2007 - February 25, 2007
Norwegian documentary: USA vs Al-Arian
JAY WEISSBERG
Though unquestionably biased, eye-opening docu "USA vs Al-Arian" throws the spotlight on a justice system shanghaied by the Patriot Act, leaving a deeply sympathetic family frayed but not quite broken. Branded the most dangerous man in the U.S., Tampa-based computer science professor Sami Al-Arian came through a six-month trial with no charges sticking, but the judge ignored the jury and Al-Arian is still in jail. Norwegian helmer Line Halvorsen constructs a damning portrait of the case by focusing on the trial's emotional toll. Docu picked up the Tromso fest's audience prize, signaling further fest play before possible cable pickup. . .
Halvorsen interviews law professors and reporters, but it's the family that gets the most screen time. Thoroughly American, the Al-Arian kids are an incredibly articulate group, held together by their mutual support and the determination of mom Nahla to keep them strong. Phone calls from dad in prison become a daily routine.
Despite years of surveillance, the government couldn't make a strong case for holding Al-Arian. Even after sifting through 472,000 telephone calls made from the family home since the '90s --- watching Nahla and kids listen to pizza delivery conversations from a decade earlier is especially disturbing --- nothing concrete could be found. . .
To end the legal nightmare, he agreed to plead guilty to aiding members of a militant Palestinian group, believing his troubles would be over with a simple but painful deportation. Instead, the judge threw the book at him, sentencing him to a further 19 months before kicking him out of the country.
(Director) Halvorsen, backed up by legal experts, presents the verdict as a blow not only to the family but also to American justice...
http://www.variety.com/
Associated Press – February 2, 2007
Al-Arian supporters lobby for release
as hunger strike continues
Matthew Barakat
Supporters of former professor Sami al-Arian - now in the fifth week of a prison hunger strike as he refuses to testify in front of a federal grand jury - on Wednesday called on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to deport al-Arian prior to his scheduled release from prison.
Al-Arian, a former computer science professor at the University of South Florida, was accused by prosecutors of being a leader of a terrorist group called Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
After a six-month trial ended in an acquittal on some counts and a hung jury on others, al-Arian struck a plea bargain in May 2006 and admitted to conspiring to aid Palestinian Islamic Jihad, specifically by helping a family member with links to the group obtain immigration benefits and by lying to a reporter about another individual's ties to the group.
Al-Arian would be up for release in April, but his prison term is being extended indefinitely after a judge found him in civil contempt for refusing to testify in front of a grand jury in Alexandria, Va., investigating a cluster of Islamic charities in northern Virginia that has ties to al-Arian.
Al-Arian believes his plea deal specifically exempted him from cooperating with authorities. But two federal judges have ruled that al-Arian must testify.
Al-Arian began his hunger strike Jan. 22 to protest of the subpoena and contempt citation. His family says he has been drinking only four glasses of water a day. Last week he fainted and hit his head. He has since been transferred to a medical prison in Butner, N.C.
Al-Arian's lawyer, Peter Erlinder, said it is only fair that Gonzales release al-Arian now because prosecutors initially recommended to the judge that al-Arian receive time served when he struck the May 2006 plea deal. A judge rejected that recommendation and sentenced al-Arian to an additional 11 months.
Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said the attorney general does not have the power to unilaterally free al-Arian. Deportations are handled by the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Justice Department….
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/feb/22/alarian_supporters_lobby_release_hunger_strike_con/
United Press International – February 26, 2007
U.S. vows to force-feed inmate on strike
ALEXANDRIA, Va., -- U.S. prison officials say they will force-feed a hunger-striking North Carolina inmate who is refusing to testify before a grand jury.
Former Professor Sami al-Arian, 49, began his strike Jan. 21 and has had only water since to protest demands he testify about Virginia Muslim charities allegedly financing terrorist organizations.
As part of a plea deal in Tampa, Fla., in 2005, Arian pleaded guilty to one count of supporting a Palestinian terrorist organization. During his sentence, federal prosecutors twice requested his testimony, both times he refused, The Washington Post reported. Arian has since been charged with contempt.
Arian, who is in the federal medical prison in Butner, N.C., and his lawyers accuse prosecutors of violating his plea agreement with the Justice Department, contending he does not have to cooperate.
Arian has reportedly lost more than 30 pounds and federal Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Tracy Billingsley told the Post he would be force-fed through a tube if his medical condition becomes critical.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/Virginia_apologizes_for_slavery/20070226-010633-6887r/
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