March 12, 2008

BUTNER, NC. —

Dr. Sami Al-Arian was transferred yesterday morning, on the 9th day of his hunger strike, to a federal medical facility in Butner, North Carolina run by the Bureau of Prisons. Since beginning his no- water or food hunger strike on March 3, Dr. Al-Arian has lost 23 pounds and grown weaker. He has not yet been given an IV. A doctor who examined him on Monday said he is suffering from starvation and dehydration.

You may write to Dr. Al-Arian at his new address:

Dr. Sami Al-Arian (#40939-018)
FMC BUTNER
FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER
P.O. BOX 1600
BUTNER, NC 27509

Inmate on hunger strike transferred to medical prison
Associated Press
Mar. 11, 2008

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-dc–attacks-professor0311mar11,0,4890185.story

WARSAW, Va.

A former university professor who has refused for nearly two years to testify before a grand jury investigating Muslim charities and businesses was transferred to a medical prison after reaching the eighth day of a hunger strike.

Former University of South Florida professor Sami al-Arian stopped taking food or water last week to protest a third attempt by prosecutors to compel his testimony.

Northern Neck Regional Jail supervisor Ted Hull said Al-Arian was transferred Tuesday from the Warsaw jail to the federal medical prison in Butner, North Carolina.

Prosecutors alleged that al-Arian was a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. But his 2005 trial ended in an acquittal on some counts and a hung jury on others. He eventually pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

Since then, prosecutors have sought his testimony for a related investigation, but al-Arian has refused despite a grant of immunity.

Copyright © 2008, Newport News, Va., Daily Press