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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 Al 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. 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.