Press Release

(Alexandria, Virginia. July 22nd, 2004) – Dr. Abdelhaleem Ashqar is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday July 26th, 2004 at 2:00pm in the district court in Chicago in front of Federal Judge Amy St. Eve. The address of the court is:

Everett McKinley Dirksen Building
219 South Dearborn Street (Room 1251)
Chicago, Illinois 60604

Dr. Ashqar was indicted in June 24th, 2004 on a second charge; a superceding indictment of “Obstruction of Justice” for his refusal to testify in front of the Grand Jury in Chicago. However, Dr. Ashqar was released from jail in November last year and still subject to the following conditions: Electronic monitoring (leg bracelet); curfew in which Dr. Ashqar is not allowed to leave his home between 11:00pm until 5:00am; travel restrictions as well as a one million dollar bail.

Background: In October 2003, Dr. Abdelhaleem Ashqar was indicted on criminal contempt to punish him for refusing to testify in front of a Grand Jury in Chicago against his fellow Palestinians and Muslims. Recently, Dr. Ashqar retained two renowned and well respected attorneys - Mr. Michael Kennedy from New York and Mr. Thomas Durkin from Chicago to represent him in his on going case.

The community is urged to continue their moral support by attending the above mentioned hearing as well as the trial scheduled in September 20th, 2004; and financial support for Dr. Ashqar’s legal defense fund because the outcome of his case is critical to our community. If we don’t join hands to support his commendable stance, the government will assume that it can continue this line of harassment against fellow Muslims and Palestinians to suppress our rights to freedom of speech and political affiliation.