Free Fahad Hashmi!

Here in New York City a young man is being held under conditions that are described in international law as severe torture. This prisoner, named Fahad Hashmi, has not been convicted of any crime and has no prior criminal record. Yet he has been held in almost total extended isolation for the past three years.

Fahad Hashmi

Hashmi is 29 years old, a U.S. citizen, a graduate of Brooklyn College, a Muslim and originally from Pakistan. He is being held on the flimsiest possible charges at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in lower Manhattan.

Hashmi is scheduled to go on trial on April 28 at Federal Court. He is charged with two counts of providing material support and two counts of making a contribution of goods or services — to al Qaeda.

The government case and charges against Hashmi are surreal. Supposedly he allowed an acquaintance, who had waterproof socks and ponchos in a duffel bag, to stay at his apartment for two weeks. The government alleges that the acquaintance later delivered the socks and ponchos to a member of al Qaeda.

Blocks from the busiest, most densely occupied corner of Manhattan, blocks from Wall Street, Chinatown and major court buildings, this young man is being held in total pre-trial isolation in a small cell with 24-hour video surveillance.

According to the Special Administrative Measures imposed on him, he does not have a right to a lawyer of his choice, cannot write letters to friends, make calls or participate in group prayers. He must eat alone and cannot see or communicate with other prisoners. He cannot listen to the radio or even read a current newspaper.

Bill Quigley, legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, writes that, “Once accused of connections with terrorism or al Qaeda, the U.S. Constitution and international human rights apparently do not apply. Torture by the U.S. is allowed. Pre-trial punishment is allowed. The presumption of innocence goes out the window. Counsel of choice is not allowed. Communication with news media is not allowed.”

Faisal Hashmi, Fahad’s brother, said regarding the charges: “My brother is facing 70 years for socks in someone’s luggage.”

A determined group of primarily students and young people called Theaters Against War — Thaw Act holds a bi-weekly vigil on Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. in front of the MCC at 150 Park Row, where Hashmi is being held. At each vigil a rotating group of artists and actors gives a presentation. The next vigil is Monday, April 26 — two days before Hashmi’s trial is scheduled to begin.

The International Action Center is mobilizing to attend the trial starting on Wednesday, April 28, at the Federal Court Building at 500 Pearl St. and is urging solidarity with the Monday vigil in front of MCC prison on April 26.

For more information on Fahad Hashmi’s case, see www.freefahad.com.

For information on the bi-weekly Monday vigils, see www.thawaction.org.