Some not happy with how the FBI handling inquiry

While FBI agents say they're doing everything they can to treat local Muslims with respect while investigating terrorism allegations, not all people coming in contact with the FBI are happy.

"There have been threats of deportation, telling someone they can't have an attorney, when the attorney was on the phone they wouldn't speak to the attorney," said Basim Elkarra, executive director of Sacramento CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Other allegations include threats of being detained if someone even jaywalks.

FBI officials met with Elkarra on Saturday, where they addressed the concerns. FBI spokeswoman Marcie Soligo said the meeting helped clear up some issues, and that she hadn't heard any other complaints.

"I can't comment on specific allegations," she said, adding that citizens often get nervous when they see the FBI.

"I know, as an agent, sometimes when you go to the door or call them up, the initial impression is, 'Oh my goodness, it's the FBI!' But it's just our job, we're not there to be intimidating."

Elkarra, however, said he's made a list of at least eight incidents in which Lodi Muslims' rights may have been violated. At a Saturday meeting with agents, Elkarra read the list to Keith Slotter, special agent in charge of the area's FBI office. Elkarra also plans to file a written report with the FBI.

Other complaints include constant surveillance of the mosque on Poplar Street, and agents who follow people. In one instance, Elkarra said, an agent grabbed a youth by the arm.

"He yelled, 'I'll sue you,' and they backed off," Elkarra added.

The allegations come after last week's arrests of two Lodi men who are each charged with one count of lying to federal agents.

Hamid Hayat, 22, allegedly lied about attending a terror training camp in Pakistan and his father, 47-year-old Umer Hayat, reportedly lied about sending money to his son, according to the FBI. Three other Lodi men, including two religious leaders, were detained for immigration violations.

During one arrest, Elkarra said, agents "knew there were three females in the house and five children, but they still came in with guns."

Last week, Mayor John Beckman joined with some local Muslims requesting that FBI interviews be conducted at the Lodi Police Department rather than in Sacramento. Some interviews have now been held locally, though Lodi detectives are not involved, said Sgt. Steven Price, head of the general investigations unit.

The FBI appears to be scaling back the number of interviews it is conducting in the city, Chief Jerry Adams said after meeting with Slotter and U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott.

"They're looking at a very small group of people," Adams said.

The FBI has said it is chasing leads across Northern California and into Denver.

Meanwhile, Hamid Hayat's attorney is also expressing concerns about civil rights violations. Wazhma Mojaddidi said she is looking into whether Hamid Hayat should have been provided an interpreter during his FBI interrogation, and "what if any extent of coercion or pressure was involved" in obtaining his stated confession.

Soligo, with the FBI, said agents are trained so they do not violate civil rights -- especially since such crimes are investigated by the FBI.

And, she said, during every meeting about the Lodi investigation, agents were told, "Be sensitive, we have cultural issues that are going to be imperative that we watch."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Comments on this story are now closed.

Archives

Story Tools

Indexes

Some not happy with how the FBI handling inquiry

Reader Feedback

Special Sections

Photo Reprints

Find Ads

Weather

Services

Contact Us

Office

Newsroom

Subscriptions

Advertising

Classifieds