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US Political Prisoner Omar Abdel Rahman Martyred in Captivity

Written by Subject: Police State

US Political Prisoner Omar Abdel Rahman Martyred in Captivity

by Stephen Lendman

Known as the "blind sheikh," he was unjustly framed in a 1995 show trial connected to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing he had nothing to do with.

Clear evidence proved his innocence. It didn't matter. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 15 years for seditious conspiracy and terrorism, a shocking miscarriage of justice so common in America, especially against people of color and Muslims.

Sheikh Rahman was targeted for his anti-Western views, not any crime committed. He was connected to the Egyptian-based Al-Jamaa al-Islamiyya (Islamic Group) - a 1997 State Department designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). 

In the 1980s, he was used as a CIA asset, involved in recruiting Mujahadeen fighters against the Soviets in Afghanistan. 

He was rewarded with a US visa, green card and State Department/CIA protection for as long as he was valued. When no longer, he was unjustly arrested, prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned.

At the request of former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, human rights attorney Lynne Stewart joined him in representing Rahman in his appeal.

Their best efforts were no match against federal viciousness. Rahman was aged 78, his death attributed to diabetes and heart disease.

Muslim activist Nadrat Siddique called his passing "a dismal day in the history of the United States," saying he was "left to die a slow painful death from untreated medical conditions."

He opposed Egyptian dictatorship under Hosni Mubarak long before the made-in-the-USA Arab spring. He sought political asylum in America. Instead of freedom, he faced cruel and unusual punishment.

Siddique "lament(ed) his tragic death under clearly dehumanizing conditions," much of it in brutal solitary confinement. 

Michael Mukasey was his sentencing judge. He later served as Bush/Cheney's attorney general from November 9, 2007 - January 20, 2009."

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.


www.universityofreason.com/a/29887/KWADzukm