Jordan Times
Tuesday, November 6, 2001
At least 10 Jordanians detained in US since Sept. 11 — Muasher
By Saad G. Hattar
AMMAN — At least 10 Jordanians have been detained in the US during security sweeps across America in connection with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, Jordanian Ambassador to the US Marwan Muasher said on Monday.“As far as our sources have compiled, US authorities rounded up at least 10 Jordanians, and we are trying to look into their cases and win their release,” Muasher told The Jordan Times.
The 10 are among nearly 1,000 Arab Americans or illegal immigrants from Arab countries who have been detained over the past two months.
Muasher did not rule out the possibility of more detentions in the absence “of solid” information about their whereabouts and cases.
“We have been inquiring by telephone, through memos and letters to all concerned parties, but they [US authorities] have been secretive about details of the arrests,” he noted. “They are not forthcoming.”
Most of the detainees, according to Muasher, are students in their twenties.
In New York, university student Osama Awadallah, 21, is facing legal action for alleged perjury.
Prosecutors said last week that Awadallah could face a 10-year prison sentence for allegedly lying to a federal jury.
The US authorities have invoked a “Secret Evidence Act” in their drive to maintain a blackout on their investigations in connection with the terrorist attacks.
Muasher said new laws, passed since Sept. 11, give the authorities further authority to withhold information.
Unofficial estimates put the Jordanian community in the US at roughly 100,000.
Two Jordanians were reported missing and later presumed dead in the airborne attack on New York's World Trade Centre.