Al-Arian’s arrest was the latest development in almost a decade of police surveillance and harassment. In September 2001 the administration at the University of South Florida (USF), where he taught , suspended him. This and his subsequent arrest and firing have sparked a series of protests. His fight has won the support of the campus chapter of the United Faculty of Florida, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Tampa.

The federal indictment under which Al-Arian and the others were arrested was announced by Attorney General John Ashcroft at a press conference in Washington. The 50-count indictment accuses him of being the North American leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad organization.

The authorities gave no explanation for the March 27 transfer, said Al-Arian’s attorney, Nicholas Matassini. "They came this morning and picked them up and moved," he said. Matassini plans to file a motion that the defendants in the case be returned to Tampa. The transfer makes preparation of the defense more difficult, he said.

Nahla Al-Arian, the wife of Sami Al-Arian, said, "they continue to make us suffer more and more, but that has only made us more determined to fight this political oppression. I call on all Americans to continue this fight with us."

The transfers came two days after the conclusion of the bail hearing for the four defendants. At the four-day hearing, defense attorneys called numerous character witnesses who testified that the defendants were neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk.

Other witnesses testified that Al-Arian patiently explained the Palestinian cause. One witness said that the USF professor had supported George Bush in the 2000 presidential election, believing Bush would oppose the imprisonment of people under secret evidence. Al-Arian’s brother-in-law, Mazen Al-Najjar, was held for three-and-a-half years without charges on secret evidence and has recently been deported.

Arguing against bail, Assistant U.S. Attorney Walter Furr told the court that the four supporters of the Palestinian struggle for self-determination are "brain trusts" for a "gigantic terrorist organization" that is "responsible for 100 murders in Israel and its territories."

Washington intends to keep Al-Arian behind bars regardless of the outcome of the bond hearing, reported the Miami Herald on March 26, noting that federal immigration police "have placed detainers on Al-Arian and the other defendants so that even if they are granted bond, they would remain in detention."  
 
 
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