Desperate for ANY Results: Feds Arrest US Citizen on Two-Year-Old Charges

[al-istiqamah.com]

Written by Ahmad AlFarsi

Just a few days ago, I was online checking my e-mail, when I received some incredibly upsetting news. A friend of mine from Boston, Br. Tariq Mehanna (Tariq misspelled as Tarek), had just been arrested by the FBI. At first, I was reluctant to write-up anything about this, so as not to expose the brother’s privacy, however, since the media has already made his case and name public, the least we should do is publicly defend and support him.

Regarding Br. Tariq himself, I have known him to be one of the most gracious, kind, caring, thoughtful, and respectable people I have ever known. For the two years that I knew him in Boston, I have seen him go above and beyond what most others would do to help others in need. Those who know him personally know exactly what I am talking about. I am sure any of his peers, Muslim or non-Muslim, would testify to his excellent character, masha’Allah. Furthermore, Tariq was very involved in the Muslim community, masha’Allah; I remember many times that he would be giving halaqaat (Islamic lectures) in the local masjid on an Islamic text he was studying. And he helped many many other Muslims in the community come to the straight path, walhamdulillaah, where those brothers were previously not very into the deen. I’d also like to emphasize that he does not and never has supported nor been involved with terrorism, in any way whatsoever. As such, I am completely perplexed as to why the FBI would be scrutinizing such an upright individual in the first place.

According to the details from the Boston Globe, Tariq was arrested for allegedly lying to the FBI in December 2006 regarding the whereabouts and activities of Daniel Maldonado. For now, he is being held without bail (pending a hearing to decide whether or not he should be held without bail). The FBI claims that it recorded phone calls and that it had an informant who secretly recorded conversations with Tariq that, they claim, show that he was lying to them about Daniel.

Before I go any further, I would like to remind all of our readers that these are only accusations against Br. Tariq. At the moment, we don’t know Tariq’s side of the story, nor do we know how much of what the FBI is claiming is false and how much is true. That being so, we should assume that he is innocent unless proven otherwise. The principle of innocent until proven guilty is a foundation of this country’s legal system and values, that I hope and pray that we as a nation will fully return to after so many well-documented individual abuses given the fledgling status of habeas corpus in America these days.

Let’s take a step back and consider the implications of this incident: we have another American citizen with no previous criminal record of any kind, being held without bail (for now) in his own country, arrested TWO years after the alleged incident and while on his way to a prestigious position that should have been new positive chapter in his and his family’s life.

No mention was made of any other wrongdoing since the alleged incident in 2006, and they didn’t arrest him then, so arresting him now does not make any sense. Such a tactic serves only to smear Muslims, and brings pain and suffering to him, his family, and his future. Such tactics by the authorities work directly against the integration of the Muslim community into this society, serving only to create a hostile environment that leaves Muslims fearful, marginalized, and unable to trust the authorities.

Once again, I remind all of our readers that, under the laws of this country, Tariq is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. I can honestly say that I can think of very few individuals that I know personally who can match this brother’s character and efforts for the deen. It would be extremely saddening if we were to lose such a brother. I ask everyone to please make du’a for Tariq’s expedient release and that Allah protects him and makes his innocence known. May Allah protect Br. Tariq from those who wish him ill, make his innocence known, and grant him an extremely speedy release and safe return to his family and life. Aameen.

UPDATE:

If anyone is in the Boston area, please try your best to attend Tariq’s court hearing to show your support.

http://www.cageprisoners.com/campaigns.php?id=825

Court Hearing for Tarek Mehanna
Show Your Support – Attend the Hearing

Monday, November 17, 2008
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Location:
John Joseph Moakley US Federal Courthouse
1 Courthouse Way
Boston
Massachusetts 02210
(617) 748 9152

Source: Muslim Matters

[Umm Ahmed]

Sudbury resident arrested on way to job overseas



By Shelley Murphy and Milton J. Valencia



Statements that Tarek Mehanna allegedly made to the FBI two years ago in the midst of a terrorism investigation came back to haunt him last weekend, when the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy graduate was arrested as he was about to board a Boston flight to start a new job overseas.

Mehanna, 26, who was living in a sprawling house in Sudbury with his parents, is charged with lying to the FBI in December 2006 when questioned about the whereabouts and activities of Daniel J. Maldonado, a former Methuen resident who was suspected of training at an Al Qaeda terrorist camp to overthrow the Somali government.

An FBI affidavit unsealed in federal court in Boston Monday alleges that Mehanna told agents on Dec. 16, 2006, that he had known Maldonado for three or four years and that when he last spoke to him two weeks earlier, Maldonado was living in a suburb of Alexandria, Egypt, and working for a website.

But Maldonado had actually placed several calls from Somalia to Mehanna's Sudbury home four days before the FBI interview, urging him to "join him in training for jihad," the affidavit says.

After Maldonado's capture a month later, a cooperating witness secretly recorded conversations with Mehanna, who fretted about lying to the FBI, according to the affidavit.

"When the FBI asked me where Dan was . . . I told them he was still in Egypt . . . and he had called me the day before that from Somalia," Mehanna told the witness, according to the affidavit. "That's very bad. I don't know how the heck I'm gonna explain that one."

The affidavit says Mehanna was recorded saying, "I don't ever remember if he said the word Somalia on the phone, but that's a problem because, like, lying to them in and of itself is a crime."

The complaint filed against Mehanna in Boston charges him with knowingly making false statements concerning an FBI investigation involving international terrorism. He is not facing any charges of terrorism.

During a brief appearance in US District Court on Monday, Mehanna was ordered held without bail pending a hearing on whether he should be jailed without bail until the case is resolved, Christina DiIorio Sterling, a spokeswoman for the US attorney's office, said yesterday.

J.W. Carney Jr., a Boston lawyer who represents Mehanna, said, "If this is the FBI's idea of a terrorist, they are using a net that is designed to catch minnows instead of sharks."

Mehanna's father did not want to comment on the case, referring questions to Carney. But he said his son had a good reputation and earned a doctorate in pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in May.

He questioned the FBI's decision to arrest his son two years after they interviewed him and just as he was about to board a flight to Saudi Arabia, where he had a new job awaiting him.

"Tarek is an American citizen with no prior criminal record whatsoever," Carney said. "He recently graduated from a Massachusetts college and was on his way abroad to begin a job working in a renowned medical facility."

Neither Sterling, nor Gail Marcinkiewicz, a spokeswoman for the FBI, would comment on the case.

Maldonado - who grew up in Pelham, N.H., before living in Methuen - was arrested in January 2007 as he fled Somalia. He became the first US citizen charged with participating in terrorist activities in Somalia.

Last year, he pleaded guilty in federal court in Houston to receiving training at a terrorist camp in Somalia alongside Al Qaeda members.

He admitted training to use firearms and explosives as part of an effort to help a group called the Islamic Courts Union overthrow the Somali government and install an Islamic state.

Maldonado is serving a 10-year prison term.

The affidavit filed in Mehanna's case in Boston says that Maldonado admitted to authorities that while in the southern part of Somalia, he called Mehanna and, using code words, urged him to join in fighting for an Islamic state in Somalia.

The affidavit says Mehanna told the cooperating witness that when Maldonado called him from Somalia he did not say anything that provided direct evidence that he was doing anything illegal.

But, Mehanna told the witness that Maldonado used code words, including "culinary school" and the phrase, "making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches," which meant, "I'm here fighting," according to the affidavit



SOURCE: Boston.com

http://www.cageprisoners.com/articles.php?id=26828

[Umm Ahmed]

17/11/2008
Court Hearing for Tarek Mehanna

Show Your Support – Attend the Hearing

Monday, November 17, 2008
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Location:
John Joseph Moakley US Federal Courthouse
1 Courthouse Way
Boston
Massachusetts 02210
(617) 748 9152


Please show your support by attending Tarek’s next court appearance.


Who is Tarek Mehanna?

Tarek Mehanna is a 26 year old American citizen, of Egyptian extract, who lived with his parents in Sudbury, Boston. He earned a doctorate in pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in May 2008.

Mehanna was arrested on Saturday 8th November 2008, at Logan International Airport, as he was about to board a flight to start a new job in a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Mehanna had been the subject of harassment from the FBI for some time, pressuring him to become an informant for the government or else charges would be laid against him. Mehanna has now been charged with knowingly make false statements concerning an FBI investigation involving international terrorism. He is not facing any charges of terrorism. His family questioned the decision to arrest him two years after the FBI had interviewed him and just as he was about to leave the country.

His lawyer, J.W. Carney Jr., commented, “Tarek is an American citizen with no prior criminal record whatsoever. He recently graduated from a Massachusetts college and was on his way abroad to begin a job working in a renowned medical facility. If this is the FBI's idea of a terrorist, they are using a net that is designed to catch minnows instead of sharks."

The FBI affidavit alleges that Tarek told agents in December 2006 that he had known detainee Daniel Maldonado for three or four years and when he last spoke to him two weeks earlier he had been living in Alexandria, Egypt. Maldanado was arrested in January 2007 and became the first US citizen charged with participating in terrorist activities in Somalia. The FBI claim that Maldanado actually contacted Mehanna from Somalia four days prior to the FBI interview. They rely upon statements made by Maldonado under interrogation whilst he was held without charge or access to a lawyer, in the Horn of Africa. Other detainees captured in the region at the same time have reported the use of torture and threats during interrogations. After Maldonado's capture a month later, a cooperating witness secretly recorded conversations with Mehanna, in which he is alleged to have admitted lying to the FBI about Maldanado’s whereabouts.

On November 10th, Mehanna was ordered held without bail pending a hearing on whether he should be jailed without bail until the case is resolved.

One acquaintance of Mehanna’s left a comment on the Boston Globe’s website “I happen to know this young man. He's got a great sense of humour and is well liked by many, many people in and around Boston. He cares deeply about others and I have seen first hand how he gives freely of his time and money to help others. After getting his Pharmacy degree, he was looking forward to his new job and eventually getting married. The Feds can hold him all they want, but they will have a very tough road in trying to convince people he's the horrible person they want to make him out to be.”

CAN'T MAKE IT?

If you cannot attend the hearing then please show your support by sending a message for Tarek and/or his family to contact@cageprisoners.com

http://www.cageprisoners.com/campaigns.php?id=825

[Umm Ahmed]

Muslim Matters have an update on the brothers case.

His hearing has been moved to Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 2:30 pm.

http://muslimmatters.org/2008/11/14/...r-old-charges/

[Umm Ahmed]

Lawyer: Client refused to be FBI informant
By Milton J. Valencia

The FBI arrested Tarek Mehanna on charges he lied to investigators only after agents failed in their efforts to persuade the Sudbury man to become a confidential informant about terrorist activities, his lawyer said yesterday during a court hearing.
Mehanna, 26, of Sudbury, was arrested Nov. 8 at Logan International Airport before his departure to Saudi Arabia, where he planned to work as a pharmacist.

The FBI alleges Mehanna lied to investigators two years ago, when they were questioning him about Daniel Maldonado, a New Hampshire native and former Methuen resident who was convicted last year of aiding terrorist activities in Somalia.

According to court records, Mehanna told investigators Maldonado was in Egypt when he allegedly knew that his old acquaintance was in Somalia preparing to aid terrorists.

Mehanna has been charged with lying to investigators in a terrorism investigation and faces eight years in prison.

Mehanna's lawyer, J.W. Carney Jr., said yesterday that FBI agents had questioned his client as early as 2005 about a range of activities, including a trip to Yemen he made in 2004. In April, Carney said, investigators told his client that they had built a case against him, based on the alleged lie he made in December 2006, and that they would pursue it if he did not cooperate in other matters.

Carney said yesterday that the comments Mehanna made about Maldonado during the 2006 interview were immaterial compared with the broader investigation the government was pursuing and that the charges were brought only because Mehanna was preparing to leave for Saudi Arabia. Mehanna was not accused of wrongdoing in any other conversation with investigators, he said.

The statements were made during a hearing that will determine whether Mehanna should be held in jail awaiting trial. Prosecutors said Mehanna would be a flight risk, considering his plans to move to Saudi Arabia. Carney argued that his client is an American citizen and would stay to contest the charges.



http://www.boston.com/news/local/art...fbi_informant/

[Fajr]

Feedback from those who attended his hearing:

After an hour and 30 min, the judge decided to take a few days to look over the case and make a decision. Partly because Tariq’s attorney submitted new evidence, which are letters testifying to the brothers beautiful character. The prosecutor is trying to argue that the brother is a flight risk. And his parents are willing to use their home as bond so he can be released. His attorney said there is a good chance he can be released on bail next week insha Allah.

The judge seemed very open minded, when the prosecutor kept objecting, the judge asked him, “Do they have you for how much you know or how ignorant you are” And the whole room started laughing. His attorney was happy to see so many people supporting him. And his father thanked us and asks us to keep supporting him throughout the trial.

As was noted, the judge postponed any ruling on bail until he was able to consider additional evidence, though he said he’d issue his ruling “promptly.” Tariq’s lawyer said he was very optimistic that the judge would grant bail, and this is the impression that I got as well from hearing the questions the judge was asking of both Tariq’s parents and the prosecution. The hearing was actually fairly long due to the prosecution objecting to nearly every question the defense lawyer put to an FBI agent (the one who wrote the criminal complaint). The brother himself looked to be in good spirits and he was quite happy to see his family and friends at the hearing (more people showed up than the courtroom was able to hold, wal-Hamdu lillah). Tariq’s brother also told me that he was being treated well in the detention center, but was suffering from boredom as he was given little reading material. If the judge grants bail he should be released sometime next week, insha’Allah. Please continue to make du’a for the brother and his family.

Muslim Matters

[Umm Ahmed]

From one of our members who attended the hearing.

I attended the hearing yesterday. The judge did not issue any ruling on the bail, as he wanted to consider some additional evidence. Sometime within the next few days he should issue his ruling, and the lawyer believes he will grant bail, insha'Allah. Tariq was there and looked to be in good spirits. He kept turning around to smile at us. His brother told me that they have been treating him good at the detention center, the only problem he is facing is boredom.

[al-istiqamah.com]

Update on Tareq Mehanna

From an email written by Tariq's brother Tamer

as-Salaam 3laikum wa Rahmatullah

I hope this message finds you all in the best health, inshaAllah. I would again like to thank everybody who came to Tariq's hearing, and would like to share with everybody that he is being patient and is still very strong, alhamdulillah. We are still awaiting the decision of the judge on whether he will be allowed to come home on bail or not, and we expect the verdict any day now, inshaAllah. While he is still being held by the state, here is the mailing address that he can be reached at:
--------------------
ID# 50660
Room E327 Unit E3
Plymouth Country Correctional Facility
26 Long Pond Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
---------------------

If you can spare the time, please feel free to send him a letter, as he would very much love to hear from all of you, and he appreciates your support a great deal. He cannot receive anything other than a letter, and cannot see visitors still at this time, but your words will mean a great deal to him. Please also feel free to distribute the address on any additional forums, and Tariq and myself and our parents thank you sincerely for your attention and loyalty as friends. Thank you again!


wa Salaam,
-Tamer A. Mehanna

[Rakan]

jazaa'kallah khayr ukhtee !

['Abd al-Kareem]

wa 'alaykumassalam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Allahu Akbar wa lillahi al-hamd!