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Local arrest raises eyebrows, fears
By WILL VAN SANT SPRING HILL -- The arrest of 30-year-old Hatem Naji Fariz of Spring Hill on charges of supporting international terrorism was the topic of conversation for residents enjoying breakfast around town Friday. "People are not used to this. It grabs them," said Larry Cook, 64, a Brooksville resident having eggs and toast at Nellie's Too on Mariner Boulevard. According to Cook, the arrest of Fariz in Hernando County just goes to show that terrorists or those who sympathize with them can be found just about anywhere in the country. Fariz is charged with supporting Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a group that uses terrorism in an attempt to topple the state of Israel. Cook said he could understand how somebody might oppose Israel but disapproved of a person living in the United States while being a threat to its interests. "That's not right," he said. Vera Kunesh, 67, a Spring Hill resident seated across the restaurant from Cook, said, "It scares me a lot. I don't know why. I just figured it would be the big cities. This is not a big city." Many people shared the fear and surprise expressed by Kunesh, but just down the road at the Dunkin' Donuts, among a gaggle of men enjoying morning coffee, one could find a different view. A 70-year-old who would identify himself only as Pete said he did not find the news that alarming. According to Pete, HMOs and the high cost of prescription drugs are a more lethal a threat to the largely senior population in Spring Hill than Fariz is accused of being. -- Will Van Sant covers Hernando County government and can be reached at 754-6127. Send e-mail to vansant@sptimes.com .
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From today's Hernando Times |
