Arab body expresses concern at arrest of Arab professor by FBI

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) expressed serious concerns regarding the arrest this Thursday of Prof. Sami Al-Arian by FBI agents in Tampa, Flordia.

Prof. Al-Arian was arrested pursuant to an indictment that remains sealed and ADC called upon the Justice Department to explain this arrest to the public, ADC said. ADC notes that Sami Al-Arian has been under heavy investigation for many years, and that thus far no evidence has ever been presented suggesting his involvement with any illegal activity.

ADC pointed out that since his appearance on the FoxNews program "the O'Reilly Factor" in 2001, and given the controversy regarding attempts by South Florida University to dismiss him in spite of his tenured status, Prof. Al-Arian's case has become heavily politicized.

ADC said it is monitoring developments in the case with deep concern.