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FBI Harasses Second Friend Who Aided Todashev Senior, Establishing Pattern of Abuse In addition to the denial of a lawyer and suspicious circumstantial arrest of Ashur Miraliev, Todashev's roomate, Tatiana Gruzdeva has been told by three FBI agents that she's being deported for speaking to the media about the slain Todashev and the FBI's role in his death. (TAMPA, FL, 10/01/2013) - The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) received a collect call from Glades County Jail today, where Tatiana Gruzdeva said she is being held in solitary confinement, and that immigration officers, along with three FBI agents, told her she was being deported because of her interviews with Boston magazine. Gruzdeva is one of two people who assisted Ibragim Todashev's father, Abdulbaki Todashev, when he came to the US to seek justice for the killing of his son. Now both individuals who assisted Abdulbaki by taking him to interviews and meetings with prosecutors, have been arrested by the FBI. As Boston Magazine reported, the Glades County Sheriff's Office confirms Tatiana is in custody, but has yet to explain why she was arrested, and ICE officials have yet to make clear why the FBI was present for her, what can only be described as impromptu immigration hearing. Gruzdeva, 19, says she had gone to sign work papers at the local immigrations office at 11 a.m. Tuesday. She has been waiting for weeks for the work authorization form that would allow her to earn a living. Rather than receive her paperwork to stay for the year she was granted only a few weeks back, Tatiana was taken aside and arrested. "They said it's because of interview," she said.
CAIR-Florida's Executive Director Hassan Shibly, Esq., who is currently on Hajj in Mecca, said by phone:
"This is yet another clear example of the FBI's blatant disregard not only for the inalienable rights of freedom of speech and due process, but also for honoring the fact that Ms. Gruzdeva was apparently offered a year extension on her visa, which seems to have been on the unconstitutional condition she not speak to the press. She did that with the Boston Magazine full length interview highlighting the FBI's harassment. This appears to be punishment for speaking about her ordeal. It's clear FBI is taking retaliatory action by going after the family and friends of Todashev who have spoken out against the FBI for killing the unarmed Florida resident. If the media and public do not hold the FBI accountable to the rule of law and due process, our Constitution becomes meaningless. " As previously addressed by CAIR-FL, a number of friends and associates of Todashev have come forward to complain of frivolous investigations, intimidation and unlawful threats by the FBI.
Most recently, Ashur Miraliev, who assisted Todashev's father, Abdul Baki Todashev and drove the senior Todashev to all his meetings during his stay in Orlando, was arrested by the FBI on September 18. When informed of the arrest, CAIR-Florida attorneys immediately contacted the U.S. attorney's office and the FBI and asked to speak to Miraliev and requested that he not be questioned without his attorney present.
Despite being his legal counsel, CAIR-FL attorneys were not able to meet with Miraliev until days after his arrest. At that point, CAIR-FL learned that Miraliev was questioned for over 6 hours after his arrest, not about any alleged criminal activity he participated in, but about everything he knew concerning Ibragim Todashev.
Since his arrest, and throughout the interrogation, Miraliev reportedly told the agents that he wanted to speak with his attorneys and that he wanted his attorneys present. The FBI agents allegedly responded: "That is not happening."
While
While conducting its own independent investigation, CAIR-FL has received several corroborating reports from associates of Todashev that FBI agents have threatened to wrongfully arrest them unless they became informants and spied on local mosques, Muslim restaurants, and hookah lounges.
"The DOJ must rein in the atrocious abuse of ethics and the rule of law by overzealous agents who have apparently disregarded the protections enshrined in our Constitution, which are essential to maintaining liberty and justice in our legal system. We also urge community members never to be intimidated by abusive law enforcement tactics and to maintain their right to remain silent and their right to an attorney when approached by FBI agents," said CAIR-Florida Executive Director in Tampa Hassan Shibly, Esq.  | | Video: CAIR-FL Claims FBI Harassing Friends of Muslim Shot by Agency |
Visit CAIR-FL's link Todashev vs FBI for the very latest on this developing issue. CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. - END - CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Hassan Shibly, Esq (Mecca Cell) + 966 54 786 8389, hshibly@cair.com; CAIR-Florida Communications Director, Samantha Bowden, 703-298-7782, sbowden@cair.com |
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