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Son-in-Law of Bin Laden Denied More Phone Calls | Son-in-Law of Bin Laden Denied More Phone Calls |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Many inmates treasure their ability to call family members, and that appears to be no different for Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, a prisoner in Manhattan who is also a son-in-law of Osama bin Laden, a letter from his lawyers shows. | Many inmates treasure their ability to call family members, and that appears to be no different for Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, a prisoner in Manhattan who is also a son-in-law of Osama bin Laden, a letter from his lawyers shows. |
But when the lawyers for Mr. Abu Ghaith asked a judge recently to increase the frequency of his family phone calls to three from one a month, jail officials and prosecutors vigorously opposed the request. | But when the lawyers for Mr. Abu Ghaith asked a judge recently to increase the frequency of his family phone calls to three from one a month, jail officials and prosecutors vigorously opposed the request. |
His lawyers had written to the judge, citing the “mental harm” being done to their client, a former Qaeda spokesman charged with conspiring to kill Americans. He is being held in solitary confinement in a high-security wing of the Metropolitan Correctional Center. | |
Such calls, they said, were the only means he had to communicate with family members, who live in three different countries: Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. These include two wives (one is Bin Laden’s daughter), one former wife, 11 children and several siblings, the lawyers said. | Such calls, they said, were the only means he had to communicate with family members, who live in three different countries: Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. These include two wives (one is Bin Laden’s daughter), one former wife, 11 children and several siblings, the lawyers said. |
“One telephone call every 30 days is insufficient to remain in contact and receive psychological support,” they wrote to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of Federal District Court. | “One telephone call every 30 days is insufficient to remain in contact and receive psychological support,” they wrote to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of Federal District Court. |
They also said that Mr. Abu Ghaith was not permitted to speak to or pray with other inmates, and that a “loud verbal call to prayer” he made resulted in a reprimand because jail officials “deemed it to be prohibited communication with other inmates.” | They also said that Mr. Abu Ghaith was not permitted to speak to or pray with other inmates, and that a “loud verbal call to prayer” he made resulted in a reprimand because jail officials “deemed it to be prohibited communication with other inmates.” |
Adam M. Johnson, a lawyer for the detention center, opposed the request. In a letter to the judge, he cited among other things, safety issues and limited staff resources for the policy of restricting access to calls on that wing. | Adam M. Johnson, a lawyer for the detention center, opposed the request. In a letter to the judge, he cited among other things, safety issues and limited staff resources for the policy of restricting access to calls on that wing. |
Mr. Abu Ghaith’s calls are monitored and are tightly controlled, the letters show. He recently gave the jail a list of the names and numbers of people he wanted to call, which must be approved. A lieutenant must open his cell door slot, provide him a phone and secure the slot once the call is completed. Another staff member must be present to assist him in placing his call and verifying the recipient’s identity. | Mr. Abu Ghaith’s calls are monitored and are tightly controlled, the letters show. He recently gave the jail a list of the names and numbers of people he wanted to call, which must be approved. A lieutenant must open his cell door slot, provide him a phone and secure the slot once the call is completed. Another staff member must be present to assist him in placing his call and verifying the recipient’s identity. |
Judge Kaplan said in an order Friday that Mr. Abu Ghaith could file a formal motion if he wanted to pursue the matter further. | Judge Kaplan said in an order Friday that Mr. Abu Ghaith could file a formal motion if he wanted to pursue the matter further. |
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