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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAIR Decries 'Slap on Wrist' for Md. Bias Assault on Va. Muslim

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/17/11) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today decried what it called a "slap on the wrist" for a Maryland man who allegedly took part in a bias-motivated assault on a Virginia Muslim limousine driver earlier this year.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) expressed concern that the Office of the State's Attorney for Prince George's County Maryland today agreed not to prosecute the alleged assailant if he paid the victim $65 in "restitution."

CAIR did welcome an indication that the state's attorney will investigate possible hate crime charges for the other individual who allegedly took part in the bias-motivated assault on the Muslim driver.

CASE INFORMATION: Case Number: 1E00458949, Tracking No:100001347014
(Enter the case number in the search function.)

"We welcome the prosecutor's sudden willingness to investigate possible hate crime charges in this case, but fail to understand how one of the alleged assailants got off with just a slap on the wrist," said CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, who met today with prosecutors.

The alleged assault occurred shortly after midnight on March 11 when the Muslim limo driver of Moroccan origin reported that he picked up two passengers in Washington, D.C., and was asked to take them to National Harbor.

After learning that the driver's name is Mohammed, one of the passengers asked whether he was Muslim. When the driver said he is Muslim, his admission allegedly prompted both passengers to use religious and ethnic slurs and make threats on his life.

The passengers reportedly called the Muslim driver a "jihadist" and told him they were going to "f**king murder" him.

When the limo arrived at the destination, one of the passengers allegedly punched the driver in the head, knocking him to the ground and fracturing his wrist. Both passengers were subsequently arrested and charged.

Under Article 27, 470A (Religious and Ethnic Crimes) of Maryland state law, it is illegal to harass or commit a crime against any person because of their "race, color, religious beliefs or national origin." The statute provides an extra sentencing enhancement for crimes motivated by hate.

SEE: Maryland's Response to Hate Crimes

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.

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CONTACT: CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, E-Mail: gabbas@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail:ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com