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Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s letter
to the Attorney General
about Dr. Sami Al Arian
September 8, 2003
The Honorable John Ashcroft, Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
Dear Attorney General Ashcroft,
I’m writing to express my concern regarding the case of Professor Sami Al-Arian.
Professor Al-Arian, a tenured computer science professor at the University of South Florida, was arrested on February 20th by federal authorities on charges of terrorist fundraising. He is currently being held without bail in the Special Housing Unit of Coleman Correctional Facility in Sumter County, Florida. It has come to my attention that this unit is used to hold the most violent of inmates --something that Professor Al-Arian has not been proven-- and that the conditions of his detainment are highly inhumane. I ask that you do everything you can to ensure that Professor Al-Arian receives humane treatment in accordance with national and international standards of human rights while incarcerated.
I also understand that Professor Al-Arian’s trial is not due to begin until January 2005. While this date denies him the right to a speedy trial, I urge that when the trial does begin, you do all you can to guarantee that Professor Al-Arian receives the fair and just trial which he is entitled to by our system of justice.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and I look forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
Anna G. Eshoo
Member of Congress
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