For Immediate Release
American Arab Forum
American Arab Forum celebrates America’s justice system by its acquittal of
Dr. Sami Al-Arian
(Paterson, NJ, 12, 7, 2005): The American Arab Forum enthusiastically
celebrates the acquittal of former USF professor Sami Al-Arian who was found not
guilty of several charges related to the terrorism-support trial. The judge
declared a mistrial on other charges where no verdict was reached. However, Dr.
Al-Arian remains in prison awaiting decision on an immigration matter.
Since 1994, Dr. Al-Arian has been the subject of intensive investigations, jail
and harassment on allegations of aiding Palestinian militant groups. The 2001
Patriot Act gave the Government expanded powers to charge Dr. Al-Arian of
unspecified and secret charges. However, the trial proved that these charges
were all circumstantial.
Aref Assaf, President of American Arab Forum was exuberant not only at the happy
news of Dr. Al-Arian’s acquittal but the much-needed reconfirmation of our great
justice system. “The entirety of the case was not based on solid evidence of
aiding terrorism but on Dr. Al-Arian’s passionate support for the plight of the
Palestinian people. We consider his acquittal and his impending release to be a
great opportunity for our government to reassert its relations with the Arab
and Muslim community in the US. We also need to send a clear message to the Arab
and Muslim worlds that the American justice system, while imperfect, ultimately
vindicates the innocent and more importantly, Arab and Muslims are entitled to
the full protection of our judicial system.”
Dr. Al-Arian has suffered tremendously and nothing can compensate for his years
of imprisonment and the suffering of his family. As a start, it would be most
fitting that he is soon freed and enabled to reclaim his teaching job at the University of South
Florida.
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