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The Tampa Tribune - Oct 9, 2003
Al-Arian Charges Rights Violations, Seeks Fines
By ELAINE SILVESTRINI
TAMPA - Still bristling under the conditions at a maximum- security federal prison, Sami Al-Arian is asking a judge to levy fines against the government for violating his rights.
Al-Arian, who is serving as his own attorney, is being held without bail in Coleman Federal Correctional Complex, Sumter County, while he awaits trial in 2005 on charges alleging he was the North American leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terrorist organization.
The former University of South Florida computer science professor consistently has complained about conditions at Coleman.
In a motion filed Tuesday and made public Wednesday, Al-Arian renewed consistent claims that Coleman officials illegally are opening his mail outside his presence and are not allowing him to meet with and interview lawyers to discuss his case.
Citing court directives regarding the opening of his mail, Al-Arian asks that the government be fined $1,000 for every violation.
In addition to being barred from meeting with lawyers, Al- Arian alleges he was told all telephone calls with legal advisers must be approved by the Bureau of Prisons regional office in Atlanta.
``At this rate, it might not be long before such approvals would require the Justice Department or the White House!'' Al-Arian wrote.
Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837.
This story can be found at: http://news.tbo.com/news/MGAOX4X6KLD.html
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