September 11 Digital Archive

Film Student detained for 48 days

Title

Film Student detained for 48 days

Source

born-digital

Media Type

article

Original Name

A Lebanese film student, Salaam Al-Zatari, spent 48 days in solitary confinement in a Pennsylvania j

Created by Author

yes

Described by Author

no

Date Entered

2002-01-05

VTMBH Article: Edition

5

VTMBH Article: Article Order

4

VTMBH Article: Title

Film Student detained for 48 days

VTMBH Article: Author

Salwa Al-Timimi

VTMBH Article: Publication

Arab Voice

VTMBH Article: Original Language

Arabic

VTMBH Article: Translator

VTMBH Article: Section

news

VTMBH Article: Blurb

A Lebanese film student, Salaam Al-Zatari, spent 48 days in solitary confinement in a Pennsylvania jail after a box cutter was found in his luggage. I ceased to feel that there is any respect for my humanity and religion in this country, he said.

VTMBH Article: Keywords

VTMBH Article: Body

A Lebanese film student, Salaam Al-Zatari, spent 48 days in solitary confinement in a Pennsylvania jail after a box cutter was found in his luggage. That was considered sufficient reason for his incarceration, where he suffered a torrent of abuse because he was accused of terrorism, he said.

In February, Mr. Al-Zatari finished his studies. He was returning to Beirut to follow his dream of producing serious cinematic works when a box cutter was found in his luggage. Ordinarily I could mail the object to myself. However, I was arrested because I am an Arab and was considered a suspect, Mr. Al-Zatari said.

Upon my arrest I was subjected to psychological pressure and continuous provocative questioning, during which they looked for inconsistencies in my statements to make them seem not credible. Mr. Al-Zatari said he was only allowed to leave his cell for an hour a day. He also charged that, in violation of his civil rights, the authorities did not allow him to use the phone. His family knew about his situation only from media reports. Even his lawyer, who was retained through friends, was subjected to insults and threats for defending a terrorist.

Mr. Al-Zatari said that in detention, he felt intimidated and harassed by other inmates. The guards treated me very harshly as well, he said. After two weeks the interrogators started to focus on whether he was a member of Hezbollah or any other terrorist organization, and whether he was a Sunni or Shiite. Mr. Al-Zataris incarceration continued after his innocence was established, he charged. He said he thinks it was used to pressure the Lebanese government.

Mr. Al-Zatari believes the American media has participated in creating an atmosphere of hatred towards Arabs and Muslims.

I ceased to feel that there is any respect for my humanity and religion in this country, Mr. Al-Zatari said of his experience. He added that he thought one positive aspect of the fallout of September 11 might be the average Americans increased interest in Islam.

VTMBH Article: Line Breaks

1

VTMBH Article: Date

2002-01-05

VTMBH Article: Thumb

VTMBH Article: Article File

VTMBH Article: Hit Count

54

Citation

“Film Student detained for 48 days,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed November 8, 2024, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/1341.