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A professor, Sami Al-Arian, is accused of supporting a terrorist organization. His attorneys wanted to “explain” his actions to the jury by presenting their views on the mideast. In other words, they wanted to argue that it was okay for Al-Arian to help terrorists kill civilians.
Judge Bars Discussion of Mideast Conflict
TAMPA, Fla. —Attorneys for a former college professor accused of raising money for a Palestinian terrorist group may not introduce the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as part of their defense at his upcoming trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Sami Al-Arian, 47, and three other men face a 53-count indictment charging them with support of a foreign terrorist organization, racketeering, conspiracy and extortion. They face life in prison if convicted.
Attorneys for the former University of South Florida professor had argued that jurors must understand the 50-year conflict to put Al-Arian’s public statements and some of his activities into context.
By refusing to permit this approach, the judge has shown that no excuse for the murder of civilians will be acceptable.
This is very good. The whole world has to move in this direction.
