Posted on 07/24/2007 5:45:12 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
A suspected terrorist, arrested in Minneapolis and held in prison for nearly 3 and a half years without a trial, is asking to be released.
Mohammed Warsame is charged with federal crimes of violence and supplying support to Al Qaida.
Supporters in the Muslim community packed the federal courthouse in Minneapolis Tuesday to express their concern for Mohammed Warsame.
"The length of this detention, without his day in court, is causing a serious problem," said Somali Justice Center Director Omar Jamal.
Warsame's attorney said it's the longest time in U.S. history someone has been incarcerated pretrial.
"He's been incredibly resilient," said Warsame's attorney David Jacobs. "He still has faith in the judicial system and he still ... got fight left in him."
FBI documents say back in 2000, Warsame attended two Al Qaida training camps in Afghanistan, fought on the front lines with the Taliban and had a meal with Osama Bin Ladin who he found "very inspirational."
"He thought at the time that he might find an idyllic life in Afghanistan under the Taliban. He got there. He ran out of money. He found that it wasn't idyllic," said Jacobs.
He returned to his family in Minneapolis and was arrested in 2003.
U.S. prosecutors argue Warsame shouldn't be released from prison because he poses a significant flight risk and a threat to the safety of U.S. public.
"Bring him to court and let him have his day in court to see what happens," said Jamal.
An attorney for the U.S Department of Justice said this is an extremely complex case.
He said matters of international conspiracy and classified government information have caused lengthy delays.
The judge is taking the prison release request under advisement and said he'll do his best to move quickly.
Warsame is in Oak Park Heights Prison and is held in solitary confinement.
The government said it's for his safety, but his defense attorney said it's usually reserved only for the worst of the worst prisoners.
NEXT!
Awwww come on....he promises to be a good boy and not head chop to many infidels.
On the other hand, he was arrested on US soil and has been held for 3 1/2 years without trial, apparently the longest pre-trial detention in US history. Bad precedent.
Hightlighting 3.5 yrs of prison in the first sentence, is the reporter trying to garner sympathy for this guy?
numerous times, mention is made of all the pre-trial goings-on that takes up time prior to trial. No doubt, some of that is his own lawyer's doings. If he is a flight-risk, he has to stay in prison. period.
WCCO television is the broadcast equal of the Star Tribune newspaper when it comes to bleeding-hearts in the Twin Cities.
If they’ve got the goods on him, then try him.
If they don’t, deport him, along with all his jihadi sympathizers.
Here is the rule: You attend a couple of Al Qaida training camps in Afghanistan, you fight on the front lines with the Taliban and dine with Osama Bin Ladin, and then you fly home to mommy and daddy, you are either a traitor or a prisoner of war. Either way you can expect to be picked up and put in jail for an indefinite period of time, and count your lucky stars we have not made you the guest of honor at a necktie party — yet. If we would just go ahead and execute a few dozen of these pukes it might serve as a warning to the rest of them.
Darn where is Allah when he needs him???
May he rot in prision forever
“Supporters in the Muslim community packed the federal courthouse in Minneapolis Tuesday to express their concern for Mohammed Warsame.”
This terrorist trained in an Al Queda terror camp and yet his muslim compatriots think he is “innocent.” Speaks volumes about his “supporters” too.
I guess it is to late for him to claim he does not understand English.
From what I understand, all his pre trial motions are the cause for his prolonged wait, not the government. His constitutional right to a speedy trial has been superceded (agreeably suspended) by counsel and litigant.
His lawyer is an idiot. Kevin Mitnick spent 4.5 years in pre-trial detention.
NEXT!
Agreed. Sounds like a fuster-cluck.
What is a “Somali Justice Center” doing in Minnesota? This is madness!
Hang him and his concerns are alleviated.
Forming a coalition.
Keith Ellison is proud.
Guess you have never been to the Twin Cities.
We all know what he would do....one way ticket to Iraq to set up roadside bombs...but hey!...It’s all in the name of P.C.!
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