Search of Ohio Imam's Home Invalidated
Items Seized From Islamic Cleric's Home in Ohio Were Taken in an Illegal Search, Judge Rules
The Associated Press
CLEVELAND June 8, 2004 — A terrorist group's manifesto and other items seized by the FBI in a search of an Islamic cleric's home were taken in an illegal search and cannot be used at his trial, a federal judge has ruled.
U.S. District Judge James Gwin, in a decision filed late Monday, ruled in favor of Fawaz Mohammed Damra, 41.
The Palestinian-born imam is accused of concealing ties to terrorist organizations when he applied for citizenship, which he received in 1994.
FBI agents searched his suburban Cleveland home Jan. 13 after his arrest and seized a computer, copies of sermons and political speeches, the manifesto of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and stacks of financial records.
Federal prosecutor James V. Moroney Jr. said the manifesto was the only item from the search that the government intended to use at the trial. He said no decision had been made on whether to appeal the judge's ruling.
Damra, leader of the Islamic Center of Cleveland, is scheduled to go on trial next week. He also has been charged with tax evasion, money laundering and fraud.
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040608_1178.html
Great minds.