Innocent Muslims May be released

On Friday, January 6, the Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations coordinated a news conference by national Muslim and interfaith leaders calling for a just resolution in the Sami Al-Arian case.To view local media coverage of the news conference, go to: http://www.cairfl.org/video/060106_wfla_arian_newsconf1.wmvSEE ALSO:CAIR: AL-ARIAN MAY AVOID NEW TERROR TRIAL - TOP Pedro Ruz GutieRrez, Sun-Sentinel, 1/7/06http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-alarian0706jan07,0,547457.story TAMPA -- Attorneys for Sami Al-Arian and a co-defendant on Friday revealed they are negotiating with federal prosecutors to avert a new trial after jurors last month deadlocked on some terrorism-related counts while acquitting them of most charges."We're discussing matters to resolve it," said Assistant Federal Public Defender Kevin Beck, moments after representing defendant Hatem Fariz, 32, in federal court. "There is certainly a benefit to both parties to avoid the costs, the risks of another trial."In court, a prosecutor said the government had not reached a final decision on whether to retry the men. . .Outside the courthouse, dozens of supporters as well as Muslim and Christian activists braved the cold, blustery winds to demand that he be freed. They waved an American flag on a pole and held an 8-foot effigy of a white-draped Lady Justice and chanted, "What do we want? Justice. And when do we want it? Now."Like other Muslim-American leaders who flew in from around the country to speak on Al-Arian's behalf, Nihad Awad said Al-Arian was the victim of a politically charged environment three years ago that resulted in the persecution of Muslims."Is this about what we did or what we are?" said Awad, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations civil rights group in Washington. "Most of these cases are done for political reasons. . . . I think the government is abusing the system." (MORE)