Sami Al-Arian released to immigration facility listen

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Sami Al-Arian today served the last day of his original sentence for pleading guilty to one court in federal terrorism trial, and was moved today from a jail in Warsaw, Virginia to a federal immigration facility in Alexandria, Virginia –where his family hopes he will be deported , and given his freedom .

WMNF spoke this afternoon with the former USF professor’s wife, Nahla Al-Arian (roll tape#1 o.q.” just live in peace”)

Al-Arian signed a plea agreement with the government back in February of 2006 after a Tampa jury acquitted him on 8 charges and and deadlocked on 9 others .

He admitted to conspiring to provide assistance to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In exchange, the U.S. Attorneys office had agreed not to charge him with additional charges, and to deport him after his sentence was completed. But in 2006, he was subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury in Virginia. When he refused, a federal judge held him in contempt in late November of that year. During this time, he refused to testify before two grand juries. In protest, he went on a hunger strike in jail and lost 55 pounds. Last month, he conducted a 3rd hunger strike to protested what he contends is further government harassment, when he informed he would have to testify once again before the Virginia grand jury.. Again, Nahla AL-Arian (roll tape#2 o.q.”he should be deported”)

There have been reports that in his latest hunger strike, Sami Al-Arian has lost well over 30 pounds. His wife says she and his family are extremely concerned about his health (roll tape#3 o.q.” you know”)

A news conference is scheduled next Tuesday in New York City calling for Al-Arian’s release. Among those scheduled to speak is former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark.