Web Letters: The Persecution of Sami Al-Arian

Characterizing Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Kromberg as an "Islamaphobe," Alexander Cockburn notes Kromberg's prominent role in prolonging the incredibly harsh incarceration of pro-Palestinian activist Dr. Sami Al-Arian. Melva Underbakke's article in the March-April issue of Washington Report on Middle East Affairs clearly documents Mr. Kromberg's anti-Arab, anti-Muslim biases, which the Virginia prosecutor repeatedly plays out in public conversations as well as in heavy-handed courtroom behavior:

• In 2003, Kromberg was accused of using "unlawful coercion, threats, and intimidation" in his prosecution of naturalized U.S. citizen Abdulkadir Ali.
• In the trial of Masaud Khan, Kromberg presented the jury with blatantly unfounded, inflammatory closing remarks in a devious attempt to link the defendant with the events of 9/11.
• In the case of Ahmed Abu Ali, Mr. Kromberg reportedly scoffed at the torture in Saudi Arabia of the Virginia student . When asked if Ali should be returned to the U.S. to avoid further torture, Kromberg reportedly responded, "'He's no good for us here, he has no fingernails left.'"

Of great concern is Mr. Kromberg's history of setting perjury traps by summoning already acquitted defendants to appear before a grand jury, then questioning them on unrelated matters. In 2004, he successfully used this underhanded tactic with Sabri Benkahla. Clearly aiming to prolong Dr. Al-Arian's incarceration, perhaps indefinitely, Kromberg is once again up to his old tricks.

Enough is enough. In the name of American justice, Attorney General Gonzales must be called upon to reign in this rogue prosecutor, to honor the government's plea agreement with Dr. Al-Arian, and to release Sami as promised.

Lois M. Price
Friends of Human Rights

Tampa, FL