Thanks to But Three Lefts Do for the ping to this thread.
Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2234263/posts
Twin Cities Somali advocate heading to NY to help accused pirate
StarTribune ^ | 4/21/09 | Paul Walsh
Posted on April 21, 2009 7:14:43 AM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
A Twin Cities Somali community activist said he is on his way to New York this morning on a mission to ensure that an accused pirate is treated justly in a court appearance this afternoon.
Omar Jamal, executive director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center in St. Paul, said he spoke Monday with the parents of Abdiwali Abduhl Wali-i-Musi, the sole surviving Somali pirate from the hostage-taking of an American ship captain.
Jamal said he intends to be in court today with Wali-i-Musi and carrying a letter from his parents in Somalia explaining that Jamal has permission to arrange for Wali-i-Musi’s defense.
Jamal said it’s likely that Wali-i-Musi will be represented by a federal public defender or an attorney arranged by the family, possibly from a civil rights organization on a pro bono basis.
“We need him to get any benefits of this judicial system,” Jamal said as he headed to the airport for a flight to New York. “Our primary concern is that the family doesn’t lose their mind.”
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Thanks to But Three Lefts Do for the ping to this thread.
Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2235214/posts
Lawmaker seeks to stop aid to Somali group in Twin Cities
StarTribune ^ | 4/21/09 | PAUL WALSH, KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
Posted on April 22, 2009 8:12:51 AM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
Twin Cities activist Omar Jamal said Tuesday he has helped ensure that a suspected pirate is treated justly while in federal custody in New York.
But if a Minnesota legislative leader has his way, it will be the last pirate Jamal helps.
Jamal, executive director of the Somali Justice Advocacy Center in St. Paul, said that he spoke Monday with the parents of suspected pirate Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse and that he has been consulting with Muse’s attorneys. He said he intended to be in court Tuesday, but Muse’s public defender said his presence wouldn’t be necessary.
But House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, responding to “tons of e-mails” from people he said were outraged by Jamal’s actions, said he will seek to block nonprofit status and state grants to any organization that helps foreign citizens accused of piracy or terrorism.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...