Judge could dismiss charges in Al Arian hearing Friday listen

Sami Al-Arian

photo by Seán Kinane/WMNF

This Friday in Alexandria, Virginia, a judge could decide to dismiss criminal contempt charges against former University of South Florida professor Sami Al-Arian.

In December of 2005, following a lengthy trial, Sami Al-Arian was found not guilty of the most serious charges that had been leveled against him. The jury was deadlocked on less serious charges.

Al-Arian is currently charged with criminal contempt of court for refusing to testify in a Virginia case. His attorneys have filed a motion for dismissal because they believe a 2006 plea agreement between Al-Arian and the government did not require him to cooperate in any other case, a point that Tampa prosecutors have conceded.

WMNF spoke today with Al-Arian’s daughter, journalist and author Laila Al-Arian, about the hearing coming up on Friday.

You can learn more and read court filings on the Free Sami Al-Arian website.

website Free Sami Al-Arian

court documents