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The Case of Fahad Hashmi

Here on Law and Disorder we’ve examined numerous cases involving overzealous prosecutions of Muslims suspected of terrorism. We take a look at another case, the case of Fahad Hashmi. He was born in Karachi, immigrated with his family to New York City more than 20 years ago. Fahad a devout Muslim, established himself as an Islamic activist in his community and by 2003 had enrolled in the London Metropolitan University in London to pursue a master’s degree in international relations. In the summer of 2006, Fahad was jumped by UK police in Londons Heathrow airport, then arrested. He was arrested for providing material support to al Qaeda.

The US charges were based on allowing an acquaintance “Janaid Babar” to store rain gear in the closet of his London flat. Janaid Babar was a paid government cooperator who has been used to testify against Muslims around the world. Nicknamed ‘Supergrass’ by the British media, Babar was used by the UK government to testify against Omar Khyam and several other Muslim men in the so-called Fertilizer Case. Meanwhile Fahad is being held in a Manhattan, NY prison, after spending a year in one of Britain’s most notorious, the Belmarsh Prison. His trial will be public, the prosecution will use Junaid’s evidence and may exaggerate to demonize Fahad in the public.


Guest – Syed Anwar Hashmi (Fahad’s father) and attorney Sean Mayer.

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Left Forum 2008: Torture And The Decline Of Empire

We hear a speech delivered by our own co-host Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights. His book International Human Rights Litigation in US Courts was recently re-published. Torture yields intelligence of dubious value, but its development and use is increasing by the US government as its grip on empire is challenged. We will be hearing from the rest of the speakers on this panel in later programs. Speakers: Alfred McCoy – Author of A Question of Torture and professor at the University of Wisconsin / Marnia Lazreg – Author of Torture and the Decline of Empire: From Algiers to Baghdad. Marnia also teaches at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, CUNY. Moderated by our own Michael Steven Smith.

Michael Ratner exposes the New York Times complicity on the Iraq War, he outlines how the US government has allowed torture to be used and describes why it’s important to push to stop the use of torture. Below – watch the entire Left Forum panel – Torture And The Decline Of Empire