Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and Peace
Dec. 6, 2006
One-Year Anniversary of Dr. Al-Arian’s Acquittal

TAMPA-

This past week marked the one-year annivarsary of Dr. Sami Al-Arian’s acquittal.

On Dec. 6, 2005, Dr. Al-Arian was acquitted of the most serious charges against
him, while two co-defendants were fully acquitted. The jury found no evidence to
convict the men, following a six-month trial, in which Dr. Al-Arian’s lawyers
presented no defense.

“The evidence wasn’t there to put a guilty verdict on it,” a juror named Todd
told a local Tampa paper. “It just wasn’t there. The dots didn’t connect.” In
many interviews following the trial, several jurors echoed those sentiments.

Unfortunately, since then, neither the government nor the judge in the case has
shown respect for the jury’s verdict, despite the fact that there were zero
convictions out of more than 90 charges. In May, after signing a plea agreement
with the government to end his family’s suffering, Dr. Al-Arian was given the
maximum sentence by a judge who rejected the jury’s findings and displayed an
appalling abuse of power.

What’s more, an Assistant U.S. attorney in Virginia whose hysteric,
Islamo-phobic outbursts are well-documented, has ensured that the government
harassment of Dr. Al Arian continue by attempting to coerce him into testifying
in other cases. Of course, the plea agreement makes no mention of such
cooperation.

The jury’s rebuke of the government’s case one year ago spoke volumes. Dr.
Al-Arian has already spent nearly four years in prison. He should be released as
soon as possible to end his suffering and that of his family.

Please write show your support to Dr. Al-Arian by sending letters to:

Sami Al-Arian (#19638)
Northern Neck Regional Jail
P.O. Box 1060
Warsaw, VA 22572

Please write to Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales and ask him to drop the subpoena
against Dr. Al-Arian and allow him to leave the country.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Fax Number: (202) 307-6777
AskDOJ@usdoj.gov