Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and Peace

9-15-03

TAMPA-

On Friday, Federal Judge James Moody ruled that access to over 20,000 hours of audiotapes in the case of Dr. Sami Al-Arian would be banned from the public. Access to the tapes was only granted to Dr. Al-Arian and his co-defendants’ defense teams, which are threatened with legal sanctions if the tapes are discussed in public.

Friday’s decision only serves to heighten the atmosphere of secrecy and fear that the government is building to justify its groundless claims against Dr. Sami Al-Arian. It is worth noting that the same government that wasted no time divulging its indictment of Dr. Al-Arian is suddenly concerned about revealing tapes that could clear Dr. Al-Arian’s name and defend his reputation.

What is equally puzzling is the local and national media’s silence on this issue. While the media have traditionally been bold defenders of the public’s right to know, it is clear that they have abandoned this principle in Dr. Al-Arian’s case. This is one of many indications of the government’s success in creating an intimidating environment to which even journalists are not immune.

Dr. Al-Arian’s wife, Nahla, said: “The family wants everything in public. We never thought anything like this would happen in a free country.”

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FAMILY ASKS THAT DR. AL-ARIAN PERMANENTLY MOVED TO ORIENT

Tampa-

Last week, Dr. Sami Al-Arian was temporarily placed in Orient Road Jail, as he examines evidence in Tampa. His family asks that he not be moved back to Coleman Federal Penitentiary from Orient Jail.

“[His confinement in Coleman] is punishing the children, more than anyone else. Why should they be punished? He should be moved to Orient until his trial for humanitarian reasons” Mrs. Al-Arian said.

Dr. Al-Arian has spent nearly six months in Coleman Penitentiary, where he has been placed under atrocious, inhumane conditions, wholly inappropriate for a pre-trial detainee. In Coleman, he has extremely limited contact with attorneys and absolutely no access to evidence. The family asks Magistrate Thomas McCoun to permanently move Dr. Al- Arian to Orient Road Jail, as he awaits trial. Otherwise, it would be impossible for Dr. Al-Arian, who is representing himself, to prepare a meaningful defense and ultimately have a fair trial. Furthermore, visits to Coleman are physically, emotionally and psychologically exhausting for his family.