|
Al-Arian continues hunger strike |
|
|
|
By SAAQIB RANGOONWALA, Staff Writer
|
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — More than two weeks after beginning a water and food strike, Sami Al-Arian began drinking water on March 20, but remains on a hunger strike. According to the Web site, freesamialarian.com, Al-Arian was not offered an IV nor treated for any of the symptoms he has experienced throughout his strike, including chest pains, severe dehydration and headaches.
On March 21, less than three weeks before his scheduled April 7 release date, the former University of South Florida professor refused to testify before a grand jury. That sets the stage for prosecutors to bring contempt of court charges against him for a third time.
Prosecutors have alleged that Al-Arian was a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which the United States calls a terrorist organization. But his 2005 trial ended in an acquittal on some counts and a hung jury on others. He was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison and will be deported after serving the sentence.
Prosecutors have sought al-Arian’s testimony for a related investigation, but he has refused, citing his plea agreement, which he insists does not require his cooperation. Prosecutors and judges who have heard his claim disagree. Al-Arian has twice been held on civil contempt of court charges that have extended his prison term by nearly a year.
Jonathan Turley, lead counsel for Al-Arian, said his client has lost at least 30 pounds and was in a wheelchair when he visited him at the Northern Neck Regional Jail on March 18. Turley said Al-Arian appeared very diminished.
“His skin shows the advanced stages of dehydration, and he is very weak,” Turley is quoted as saying on the freesamialarian.com site. “He remains committed, however, to his protest against his treatment and the prolongation of his confinement despite his plea agreement.”
A former colleague of Al-Arian’s is doing her part to bring renewed national and international attention to the case.
According to a report in the USF Oracle, Mel Underbakke is touring the United States screening the film, USA vs. Al-Arian. The film focuses on the effects of the five-year trial on Al-Arian’s family. Underbakke and Al-Arian met when Underbakke taught at the English Language Institute at USF. The institute had many Middle Eastern students, and Al-Arian often visited them. In addition, Al-Arian’s mosque and Underbakke’s church collaborated on events. She is also close friends with Al-Arian’s wife, Nahla.
The screening tour is sponsored by the Social Action Committee of the First United Church of Tampa and the Plant City-based organization Friends of Human Rights.
The film has received several awards, including Best Documentary at the Norwegian Documentary Film Festival in 2007 and Best Film at the New Orleans Human Rights Film Festival in 2007.
Al-Arian’s daughter, Laila, hopes people will take an interest in the case.
“He spent so much of his life educating people and educating students, and the least we can do is fight for him and defend his rights,” she told the paper. “This case isn’t about Palestine or Israel anymore, or any statement my father made. It’s about the rule of law.”
|
