Al-Hamdulillah, On November 3rd, I was released from Jail to Home Incarceration as well as one million Dollar bail waiting trial on criminal contempt charge. The US attorney ceased the civil contempt charge in October 10th and indicted me on criminal contempt (to punish me for refusing to testify against some Muslim Organizations, Palestinian and Muslim activists, friends and scholars).

As soon as I was jailed on September 5th, I began a hunger strike on civil contempt charge (The legal purpose of confining a person for civil contempt is to coerce the witness to answer questions), and maintained that strike until my release. As a result, I was held in solitary confinement at Metropolitan Correction Facility (MCC) in Chicago. Moreover, In September 8th, they cut off the water from the cell and left me without water until September 14th, when they transferred me to the Bethany Hospital in Chicago. They started to feed me through my veins (Intravenously) per the forced feeding order of Chief Judge Kocoras. In addition, I was under the monitor of three officers for 24/7 who were staying with me in the same room. In addition to this harsh treatment, I was deprived of the rights for visits as well as phone calls.

I would like to seize this opportunity to thank my wife, family, friends, Free Dr. Ashqar Committee (FDAC), Attorneys, the Muslim community, sympathizers and supporters.

Abdelhaleem Ashqar
ashqar@aol.com
www.free-ashqar.org