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Key Events In Al-Arian's Case

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 3, 2008

1986: The University of South Florida hires Sami Al-Arian to teach computer science.

1991: Al-Arian incorporates the Islamic Concern Project, which includes the Islamic Committee for Palestine and the World and Islam Studies Enterprise.

1995: Federal agents begin investigating Al-Arian, the World and Islam Studies Enterprise and the Islamic Committee for Palestine.

1996: The United States denies Al-Arian's naturalization petition, and USF places him on paid leave pending the government's investigation. He returns to the school in 1998.

2003: He is indicted. USF fires him.

2005: A jury deadlocks on nine counts against Al-Arian and finds him not guilty of conspiring to commit murder abroad, money laundering and obstruction of justice.

2006: In April, Al-Arian admits involvement with a terrorist organization and agrees to be deported. In May, Judge James Moody sentences him to 57 months in prison. Al-Arian appeals.

2007: Al-Arian is held in contempt of court for refusing to testify before a Virginia grand jury. His sentence is put on hold. A federal judge drops the contempt charge in December.

2008: In March, Al-Arian is subpoenaed to testify before another grand jury. Again he refuses, and in July he is charged with contempt. On Tuesday, Al-Arian is granted release on bail but is held in immigration detention pending his deportation.

Tuesday: Al-Arian is released into home detention while awaiting trial on the contempt charges.

Tribune research by MICHAEL MESSANO
Source: Tribune archives

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