Posted on 08/15/2005 2:35:48 PM PDT by SmithL
SAN FRANCISCO - A cleric facing immigration charges agreed Monday to be deported to Pakistan, a week after being accused of plotting to open a terrorism camp in California to train followers to kill Americans.
Shabbir Ahmed, 39, will be deported on charges unrelated to terrorism: that he overstayed his religious-work visa while heading a mosque in Lodi, an agricultural town of 62,000 about 30 miles south of Sacramento.
Ahmed was one of five men from the mosque who were arrested in June, none of whom have been charged with crimes of terrorism.
Ahmed's decision not to contest the immigration charge, announced in a tiny immigration courtroom, came a week after immigration judge Anthony Murry called him a "danger to the community" and refused to set bail.
"Mr. Ahmed is ordered removed to Pakistan," Murry said Monday.
An FBI agent testified last week that Ahmed was acting as an intermediary for Osama bin Laden and other terrorists. The agent refused to testify whether Ahmed was a member of a terror group, saying that information was classified.
Defense lawyer Saad Ahmad has repeatedly said his client was not a terrorist.
With Monday's development, Ahmed becomes the third of the five men to be removed to Pakistan.
It seems to me that we need some laws concerning treason, either life without parole or DP.
That guy is really going to hate it when he gets to Pakistan.
bttt
just a couple short decades ago, this POS would have simply suffered a fatal accident - no publicity, no fanfare, not much expense other than notifying his next of kin and other close "relations"
It was quick, neat, and sent the proper message to those who knew what it meant.
Waiting for the ACLU 5-4-3....
He'll receive about the same reception as the cleric did tied to the Bali bombings who was imprisoned. 5 months time served now as of today released. 202 killed. People were cheering his release.
- !
Musharref has had enough attempts on his life to make him a true-believer. I don't think he has the hearts and minds of the all rank-and-file, though.
The Islamofacists must be LOTFLTAO realizing that if they get caught trying to destroy us their penalty will be to be sent back home. This is supposed to be a deterrent? This is 'getting tough' on terrorism? This article should have displayed the 'gag alert'.
Personally, I wish we'd prosecute more and deport less. Deport and the problem may come back again.
Do you suppose that Governor Arnold might declare "open season" on these individuals? I've heard there are some members of the "Al Qaeda Hunting Club" that would love to be considered for a permit...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.