[R-G] Communicating with Hamas is a Crime

[CeJ]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ashqarnov22,1,3590709.story?ctrack=1&cset=true


Palestinian ally given 11-year term

A Palestinian activist was sentenced Wednesday to more than 11 years
in prison for refusing to testify before a grand jury in 2003 about
the activities of the Palestinian extremist group Hamas.

Abdelhaleem Ashqar, 49, a business professor who lives outside
Washington, contended he shouldn't have to give testimony that would
aid the Israeli government in its strife with Palestinians.

"It is something I will not do as long as I live," Ashqar said in a
nearly two-hour statement at his sentencing in U.S. District Court in
Chicago. He said he refused "to live as a traitor or as a
collaborator."

But U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve told Ashqar that no one—regardless
of his political beliefs—can be excused from aiding a grand jury
investigation after being given immunity from prosecution.

"You have disregarded your legal obligation," St. Eve told Ashqar. "In
the 1 ½ hours that you have spoken, I have not seen any remorse from
you."

The government had accused Ashqar and Muhammad Salah, 53, a former
Bridgeview grocer, of being leading members of Hamas and conspiring to
support terrorism from the United States.

But, a jury acquitted the two in February of the most serious
terrorism-related charges but convicted both of obstruction of
justice. Ashqar also was convicted of criminal contempt.


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CJ