Gonzales says files in Islamic case to remain sealed

[struggle4progress]

Gonzales says files in Islamic case to remain sealed

JOSEPH B. FRAZIER
Associated Press Writer
March 31, 2006

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Evidence in a dismissed case against an Ashland branch of an Islamic charity will remain confidential, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Thursday. <snip>

A federal lawsuit seeks to shut down electronic surveillance by the National Security Agency, claiming the government illegally wiretapped conversations between the director of the Islamic charity Al-Haramain and two of the charity’s attorneys.

The charity had been indicted on tax charges related to money laundering in 2004, but the charges were dismissed. <snip>

One secret document in the lawsuit has been ordered held in a secure facility in Seattle at least for now. <snip>

http://www.oregonnews.com/article/20060331/NEWS/60331006

[OnyxCollie]

1. When were the charges dismissed?

I missed any info on that. Might you have any links? Thanks for the post, BTW.

[struggle4progress]

2. Charges tossed against Oregon Islamic Charity

Washington Post - September 10, 2005
Charges tossed against Oregon Islamic Charity

PORTLAND, Oregon -- A federal judge has dismissed criminal charges against the U.S. branch of a defunct Islamic charity that was accused of helping al-Qaida, but prosecutors said new charges are possible.

The Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation Inc. branch in Ashland was indicted last February on two tax charges for allegedly helping to launder $150,000 in donations five years ago to help al-Qaida fighters in Chechnya.

Federal prosecutors had asked last month that the charges be dropped, saying the case would be a waste of time because all that remains of the organization is its corporate shell. <snip>

At a hearing Thursday in Eugene, Marc Blackman, the attorney representing the Al-Haramain branch, asked U.S. Magistrate Thomas Coffin to reject the government's motion to dismiss the charges. He argued that the case should either proceed to trial with the current indictment or be dismissed with prejudice, which would prevent the government from reviving it. <snip>

http://www.archives2005.ghazali.net/html/charges_tossed.html

[OnyxCollie]

3. Thanks for the info.

:-)