CAIR: Florida Muslim Re-Arrested After Acquittal

TAMPA - On Friday, after a three-week trial, Youssef Megahed walked out of a Tampa courthouse a free man. Megahed was acquitted on all counts of federal explosives charges. But his freedom was short-lived. Monday, to the surprise of his father, Megahed was arrested all over again...

Immigration officials confirm they have Megahed in their custody. They say they arrested him for civil violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Because of privacy policies, officials won't comment further on the arrest...

In August of 2007, Megahed and his friend Ahmed Mohammed were arrested when police found what they believed were explosives in the trunk of his car. Prosecutors implied the two were planning an act of terrorism, but when it came to Megahed's trial, a jury didn't agree.

"After having a fair trial and the jury finding not guilty, it seems like a slap in the face," according to Ramzy Kilic, a civil rights coordinator with Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Kilic says Megahed is being accused of charges of which he was already acquitted...

SEE: Megahed Jailed Again
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr/07/070033/na-megahed-jailed-again/

CAIR to Seek Release of Fla. Muslim Detained After Acquittal

(TAMPA, FL, 4/6/09) - On Tuesday, April 7, the Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Tampa) will hold a news conference to call for the release of former USF student Youssef Megahed who was acquitted Friday of charges in federal court but was detained today by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Members of Megaheds family will attend the news conference.

WHAT: Press Conference Calling for Release of Youssef Megahed
WHEN: Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m. EST
WHERE: CAIR-Tampa Office, 8056 North 56th Street, Tampa, FL
CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kilic, Tel: 813-514-1414 or 813-486-2529, Email: rkilic@cair.com

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• CAIR
• Council
• on
• American-Islamic
• Relations
• Megahed
• Islam
• Muslims
• civil
• rights