Appell til myndighetene i Nizhny Novgorod
Appeal for Dr. Sami Al-Arian
March 8. 2007
The Honorable Judge Gerald Lee
Regarding Dr. Sami Al-Arian
Your Honor
Dr. Sami Al-Arian began a complete fast except for water on January 22 after refusing to testify before a grand jury. His attorneys have indicated that an earlier plea agreement to which the Tampa prosecutors and the Justice Department agreed, specifically did not include requirements that he cooperate in other federal trials.
On humanitarian grounds Norwegian PEN respectfully request that Dr. Al-Arian’s up to 18 month sentence for civil contempt be removed.
Norwegian PEN is the Norwegian chapter of International PEN, the worlds largest writers´- and freedom of expression organization.
Sincerely
Carl Morten Iversen
secretary general
