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CAIR to Seek Return of Va. Muslim Tortured in Kuwait
Muslim teenager allegedly detained based on info from U.S. authorities

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/6/11) -- On Thursday, January 6, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will hold a news conference in Washington, D.C., to seek the safe return of a Virginia Muslim teenager allegedly tortured in Kuwait after being detained based on information he believes was supplied by U.S. authorities. A family member of the detained teenager will attend the news conference.

American officials have confirmed that the 19-year-old Virginia resident, Gulet Mohamed, has been placed on a no-fly list and therefore cannot return to the United States.

SEE: Detained American Says He Was Beaten in Kuwait (NY Times)
U.S. Teenager Tortured in Kuwait and Barred Re-Entry Into the U.S.

WHAT: CAIR News Conference to Demand Return of Detained Va. Muslim
WHEN: Thursday, January 6, 3 p.m.
WHERE: CAIR's Capitol Hill Headquarters, 453 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726

On Tuesday, CAIR sent a letter to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting a civil rights investigation of the incident and seeking clarification as to whether American authorities were complicit in the Virginia Muslim's detention and alleged torture.

CAIR's letter also asked the DOJ to urge the Department of State "to offer Mr. Mohamed all the protections due any American citizen and that his release be requested and facilitated."

In his letter to the DOJ, CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas wrote: "Whatever concerns American or Kuwaiti officials may have about Mr. Mohamed, no one should be subjected to the kind of mistreatment that has been alleged in this case."

Within the past year, CAIR dealt with a number of cases in which American Muslim citizens were denied re-entry to their own country.

Video: CAIR Asks AG Holder to Help Muslim Citizens Barred From U.S.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.