US anti-terrorism trial a 'political case': lawyer

By Robert Green

TAMPA, Florida (Reuters) - Former Florida university professor Sami al-Arian is on trial as an alleged terrorist because of his support for a Palestinian state, his attorney said on Tuesday during closing arguments. <snip>

"This is not a criminal case. This is a political case," defense attorney Linda Moreno told jurors in one of the highest-profile anti-terrorism cases to go before a U.S. court since the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington. <snip>

Charges against the men include conspiracy to murder, providing material support to a designated terrorist organization, money laundering, immigration fraud and obstructing justice. They could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. <snip>

"The prosecution of Sami al-Arian is built entirely on his words," Moreno said. "It has been a prosecution of his words and his beliefs." <snip>

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He is Pro-Palestinian.

He opposes US policy against Palestinian independence, democracy, freedom and state.