Washington, May 29: A Saudi student of Idaho University in the United States has been arrested for allegedly supporting terrorists. Thirty-three years old Sami Omar al-Hussayen's arrest came as a surprise because in the days after September 11 he led fellow Muslims in a candlelight march protesting the terrorist attacks, reports the wall street journal.
His supporters say that he is no terrorist or supporter of terrorism but that he was exercising his right of free speech by expressing support for Palestinians against Israel.
His lawyer, David Z. Nevin, denied any wrongdoing on Hussayen's part and said, "Sami does not hold terrorist views. He believes violence is inconsistent with the tenets of Islam." However, FBI says that he raised funds for so-called charitable organisations, which sent money to terrorists.
Hussayen, who is married and has three children, is being held in jail without an opportunity to post bail. Law enforcement officials say they are looking into whether hussayen has "provided material support to terrorists," a crime punishable by 15 years in prison.
Hussayen is a member of the Muslim students association, a fast-growing network of 175 campus chapter. The Wall Street Journal said that the association, headed by a native of India, Altaf Husain, "Combines good works, religious studies and leftist international politics. Members have led protests against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the US war in Iraq."
The Saudi government paid Hussayen's educational expenses plus a USD 2,700 monthly stipend. It is now paying his legal expenses, says Nail al-Jubeir, spokesman for the Saudi Embassy. Bureau Report