Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and Peace
9-15-03

FRIDAY DECISION HAS CHILLING EFFECT

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.