Ex-prof with alleged terror ties refuses to testify in U.S. court
The Associated Press Tags: terrorism, Sami al-Arian
A former professor is again refusing to testify to a federal grand jury in Alexandria investigating Muslim charities and businesses in northern Virginia.
Sami al-Arian's refusal to testify sets the stage for prosecutors to bring contempt of court charges for a third time against the former University of South Florida professor.
Prosecutors have alleged that al-Arian was a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. But his 2005 trial ended in an acquittal on some counts and a hung jury on others. He eventually pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
Since then, prosecutors have sought his testimony for a related investigation. But al-Arian has refused despite a grant of immunity.