I read a little note in the new PC Authority mag about a guy who works for Intel, Mike Hawash, being arrested for terrorism, and decided to check out his site.

On Thursday, March 20, 2003, our friend and colleague Maher (Mike) Hawash was "detained" as a "material witness" by the FBI in the parking lot of his Intel Corp's office. Soon after, FBI agents in bulletproof vests and carrying assault rifles awoke Mike's wife Lisa and their three terrified children in the home, which they proceeded to search. For over five weeks, Mike was held without charge in the Federal Prison at Sheridan, OR. All proceedings in his case during that time were secret.

http://www.freemikehawash.org/index.html

It is some pretty relevant stuff considering that ASIO is trying to get similar powers here. Anyway have a read and let me know your opinions.

Sooooo is he a terrorist.....? If not, poor c***.

There is no real evidence. They say he's being held as a "Material Witness", but has been charge with Conspiracy to Levy War on the United States or some s***.

seems a bit over the top i cant see what he done wrong

Well i'm sure Free Mike Walsh dot org isn't going to be the best place to find out why the authorities are holding him :)

Just because he works for intel and has a wife doesn't mean the FBI is wrong.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1052222793325430.xml

On May 6 he entered 'not guilty' to charges he conspired to join the Taliban.

He's having his day in court.

Yes but what I think is wrong with it is that he was held without charge for something like 5 weeks in solitary confinement. Also his day in court won't be till 04/01/2004 and until then he will be detained.

What would you suggest they do with an alledged Al Queda member, who they claim snuck in to afgahnistan through china to train with Al Queda, and as such they probably suspect of running or being a part of terrorist cells in the USA?

So if they decide that you could be a terrorist you would be ok with having your rights stripped away and jailed without trail? They say that terrorists are enemies of free countries but if such countries are allowed to steal the freedom of individuals without any real evidence, what makes them any better?

Mike's just pled guilty to being a terrorist and supporting terrorism. During his seven year jail term he'll be providing information as a witness against other people charged with terrorism related offences:

http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=59693

"Hawash agreed to testify in federal court, before grand juries and before any potential military tribunals."

Hmmmmmm....

Mike is being targeted because he is a Muslim

gee they have singled this guy out of a few million muslims.

meh, hes only an intel employee

if it were an amd employee i mite care

http://slashdot.org/articles/03/08/06/2252246.shtml?tid=103&tid=99

Gotta start somewhere linkin ;)

http://www.freemikehawash.org/images/mike lisa.jpg

sure looks like a terrorist

(source: the webiste in the first post)

That slashdot thread has some interesting comments. Its somewhat validating to see that no matter what site, people are jerks on forums and post opinionated, unsubstantiated bulls***. But anyway, some interesting comments, one from an (alleged) Afghani talking about how he sees the situation and one from someone that must be Arabic or at least Arabic-looking and the way he was treated post-9/11 by ignorant rednecks - pretty sad. Stupid media.