Unreported details of imam's hearing

Regarding "Imam cleared in court of public opinion" (Other Views, May 13)

Columnist Lawrence Aaron should be applauded for capturing the outpouring of support for Imam Mohammed Qatanani.

However, it appears that Aaron may have missed some important elements, reflected in the opening sentence, "The evidence is mounting against … ," and the first sentence of the third paragraph, "The government's case against him is reinforced by signed documents obtained from the Israeli courts, which show him admitting to membership in Hamas."

There are significant and troubling questions regarding the authenticity of these documents. Most significant, they do not include a confession that is normally part of the record. The U.S. government has not produced and does not purport to have any signed confession statement.

In addition, the government has introduced an indictment document that lists as the defense attorney a person who did not represent Qatanani. The relevant point is that in the Israeli military court system, a defense attorney can plead on behalf of a defendant without the defendant's presence.

Court testimony was offered that in detention, the imam was subjected to mental and physical abuse; note that the Israeli Supreme Court in 1999 ruled that the techniques used during the period he was detained were in fact torture and were henceforth banned.

The imam, his defense team and, of course, his supporters are all confident that justice will prevail and that he and his family will continue to flourish in this land that they have grown to love. As he has stated, regardless of the outcome of this trial, America is and always will be in his heart.

Salaheddin Mustafa

Clifton, May 15