Terror Indictments

Jailed Al-Arian taken to hospital

TAMPA -- Sami Al-Arian, jailed last week on federal charges of being a terrorist, was treated at a hospital Friday evening after a jail physician saw symptoms that "caused him concern," officials said.

Hillsborough sheriff's Chief Deputy David Gee said the former University of South Florida professor was taken to Tampa General Hospital just before 6 p.m.

Gee did not give details, citing privacy issues, but said the condition could have resulted from a hunger strike Al-Arian has been on since his Feb. 20 arrest.

"It is possible that it's related to that," he said.

Al-Arian was taken to the hospital "under heavy guard" and treated for about two hours, Gee said. He then was transported back to the Hillsborough County jail on Orient Road.

Gee said Al-Arian remained Friday night under one-on-one supervision, meaning a jail guard is with him constantly. He said Al-Arian had been cooperative and that his health was something "we're monitoring closely."

But if Al-Arian continues his hunger strike, Gee said, authorities might have to seek a court order for permission to intervene.

Al-Arian is accused in a federal indictment of overseeing the North American faction of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terrorist group that has killed more than 100 people in the past 10 years.

He had been on paid leave and banned from the USF campus prior to his arrest. Wednesday, USF president Judy Genshaft fired Al-Arian.

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