Muslim-American Syed Fahad Hashmi Held in 23-Hour Solitary Pre-Trial Confinement for Over Two Years

President Obama.

President Obama also reiterated his promise to close down the Guantanamo Bay prison by next year.

Well today we’ll look at the case of a young Muslim-American citizen who the Village Voice has described as “experiencing the constitution in a cage.” Twenty-eight-year old Syed Fahad Hashmi, known to his family and friends as Fahad, has been held in pre-trial solitary confinement in a federal prison in Manhattan for over two years now.

The Brooklyn College graduate was born in Pakistan but moved to Queens with his family when he was 3 years old. He is charged with providing material support to Al Qaeda and making a contribution of goods or resources to Al Qaeda.

Under the SAMS, or Special Administrative Measures, Hashmi has been held under 23-hour solitary confinement and his communication with anyone inside or outside prison is severely restricted. He is permitted only one immediate family visit every other week and he experiences his single hour of daily recreation inside a cage. Hashmi’s lawyers are also prevented from talking to the media about their contact with him.

Hashmi was initially arrested in London in 2006 as he prepared to board a flight to Pakistan and was then extradited to the United States and has been held in the Manhattan Correctional Center since memorial day weekend of 2007.

Earlier this year a judge denied a pre-trial motion to consider the psychological impact of solitary confinement and ease the conditions of his detention. Hashmi’s trial is set for late September.

For more on his case, we’re joined by three guests here in the firehouse studio. Faisal Hashmi is Fahad Hashmi’s older brother and Jeanne Theoharis advised Fahad while he was a student at Brooklyn College. Jeanne Theoharis is a leading campaigner to free Hashmi and wrote an article about him in the April 20th edition of The Nation magazine titled “Guantanmo at Home.” She holds the endowed chair in women’s studies and is an associate professor of political science at Brooklyn College, CUNY. We’re also joined by Fahad Hashmi’s defense attorney, Sean Maher.

Jeanne Theoharis, advised Fahad Hashmi while he was a student at Brooklyn College. She wrote an article about him in the April 20th edition of The Nation magazine, Guantanmo at Home. She holds the endowed chair in women’s studies and is an associate professor of political science at Brooklyn College, CUNY.

Faisal Hashmi, brother of Fahad Hashmi.

Sean Maher, Attorney for Fahad Hashmi.

Related Links

• The Free Fahad Campaign