Associated Press
SEATTLE — An Everett man, the third of four Iraqi men arrested last week on federal charges of falsely obtaining Pennsylvania commercial driver’s licenses, was released Tuesday on his personal recognizance.
Two of the four were released last week. The fourth remains in custody pending a detention hearing Wednesday.
Prosecutors acknowledged there was no evidence that Haider Al-Tamimi, 28, of Everett is a flight risk.
Following a federal detention hearing Tuesday in U.S. District Court, defense lawyer Barry Flegenheimer applauded the government for agreeing to Al-Tamimi’s release.
"They were candid and courageous in admitting that upon further investigation there was no link to any terrorist activity," Flegenheimer said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Hamilton refused to comment after the hearing.
Family and friends said they were happy Al-Tamimi was being released, but his brother, Hashem, said he was upset about what his brother had been through.
The four were among 20 Middle Eastern men arrested across the country on charges of fraudulently obtaining the commercial licenses. Most of the licenses included endorsements allowing the men to transport hazardous materials.
Federal authorities also arrested a Pittsburgh man accused of being the middle man in the scheme.
None of the men has been linked to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The arrests came amid concerns about possible terrorist attacks involving chemical or biological weapons.
Still in custody is Hussain Sudani, 33. Mustafa Al-Aboody and Ali Al-Gazawi, both 29, were released shortly after their arrests pending additional court hearings.
Al-Aboody and Al-Gazawi are legitimate truck drivers with valid Washington state licenses, assistant U.S. attorneys said.
Al-Tamimi paid $1,000 for the Pennsylvania license, but has "never driven a truck before or since," Hamilton said last week.
Flegenheimer has said his client aspired to be a truck driver, but never became one. He refused to discuss the Pennsylvania charges Tuesday.
All four men were scheduled to be in court today for a hearing on the government’s attempts to return them to Pennsylvania to face charges there.
Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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