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(11/30/07) – Justice "Un-Served" in the Sentencing of Dr. Ashqar!! Free Dr. Ashqar Committee (FDAC) received the news of the harsh sentencing of our brother Dr. Ashqar with dismay and disappointed. Judge Amy St. Eve of the Federal District Court presiding over the case made this severe and harsh punishment during the final sentencing hearing on November 21, 2007 in Chicago, IL. The final sentencing date was delayed to allow for the prosecutors to present new arguments and witnesses, which is unusual step in a case that was based on trial jurors. The judge ordered the sentencing of Dr. Ashqar for 135 months (11 years and 3 months) in federal jail for his refusing to testify. This sentencing appears to ignore a lengthy 4-months juror trail that lasted from October 2006 to January 2007. In February this year, the jurors acquitted Dr. Ashqar of most serious terrorism-related charges of racketeering conspiracy, but convicted him of 2-lesser charges of obstruction of justice and criminal contempt for refusing to testify before the grand jury on June 25, 2003. In addition to the sentencing, Dr. Ashqar was fined $5,000 and was taken immediately into custody. During his sentencing hearing, Dr. Ashqar said he would rather go to prison than betray his people as they strived to free themselves from Israeli domination. "The only option was to become a traitor or a collaborator," Dr. Ashqar said, "and this is something that I can't do and will never do as long as I live." He also blamed Israeli officials for the deaths of eight family members in Palestine since 2002. Defense lawyers said the judge imposed an "unusually stiff" sentence on Dr. Ashqar given the complex political background. Dr. Ashqar's attorney, William Moffitt, said in court he knew of no case where a defendant had been sentenced to more than 5 years for similar conduct. This opinion that this case and trail is/has been politically motivated from the onset is also shared by Dr. Ashqar's family, FDAC and supporters. Dr. Ashqar family and the legal team of William Moffitt, Esq and with FDAC's support will be appealing this stiff sentencing. Appeal must be submitted within 30-days from sentencing. Dr. Ashqar can only talk to his lawyers at this time. He is not allowed to call/receive calls from his family, including his wife. Please keep both of them in your prayers. This sentencing will also establish a dangerous precedence of "stiff punishment" by the government against any individual who may refuse to testify in any future cases. FDAC urges all civil liberty groups and friends of justice to mobilize in addressing the impact of this ruling on individual rights of expressing their freedom of speech. Please read the link below to learn about the final disposition submitted by Dr. Ashqar and his lawyer before the sentencing hearings. http://www.free-ashqar.org/archives/final%20memorandum%2007.pdf Because of our beliefs of justice, our resolve to continue fighting this sentencing in the court of law will continue. We ask our community and supporters to continue their moral and financial support of Dr. Ashqar's legal case. FDAC now has to cover old and new financial obligations. The old obligation consists of raising $260,000 to pay outstanding debts to community members and legal defense team of Mr. Moffitt. New obligations will include the post-sentencing legal support including the planned stiff sentencing appeal. This is estimated to be in the range of $50,000. To make donations, please fill and mail the form provided below or
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