Unindicted co-conspirator in Hamas jihad funding case wants release of Muslim student found with explosives in car

The involvement of an unsavory organization like CAIR does not reflect well upon the proclaimed innocence of Youssef Megahed. "CAIR seeks Megahed release; father: 'No freedom for Muslims,'" by Elaine Silvestrini in the Tampa Tribune, April 7

The Council On American-Islamic Relations joined with local human rights activists this morning to call for the release of Youssef Megahed, arrested Monday on immigration charges three days after he was acquitted in a federal trial.

Megahed's attorney said Monday the government is trying to deport Megahed based on the accusations he faced at trial - that he illegally possessed and transported explosives.

The charges came after Megahed, 23, and a friend were arrested in South Carolina in 2007 with what deputies said were pipe bombs in the trunk of their car.

The FBI later determined the items were PVC pipes stuffed with a "low explosives" mixture of potassium nitrate and sugar.

Megahed's defense attorneys argued that Megahed did not know his friend, Ahmed Mohamed, had placed the items in the trunk. The defense said the items were model rockets."

The immigration charges brought against Megahed are similar to the criminal charges, said Ramzy Kilic, executive director of the Tampa chapter of the Council On American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR. Kilic and others called on the Justice Department to respect the jury's verdict....

Megahed's father, Samir, also spoke at the news conference, held at the CAIR offices. Samir Megahed praised the American justice system Friday after his son, who faced up to 20 years in prison, was acquitted by a jury in Tampa.

He expressed disappointment today.

"My feeling is I'm not living in the United States," Samir Megahed said. "I am not living under the American flag. The American flag has meaning. America is the country of freedom. I think there is no freedom here. For Muslims there is no freedom."

Is that so? When were they denied the right to vote? When were they denied the right to free assembly? Where are the camps for Muslims?

In America, Muslims are freer than they are in any Muslim country. Samir Megahed is essentially demanding that the United States not defend itself against the jihad threat. Only a fool would heed him, but of course there are many fools.

He is a terrorist living in the US. He needs to be deported. I would love to know how he was acquitted.