University Places Professor on Leave
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A Palestinian-born University of South Florida professor with links to alleged terrorists was put on paid leave after receiving death threats.
“Clearly the presence of Dr. [Sami] al-Arian on this campus at this time affects the operations of the university,” University President Judy Genshaft said. “It is a safety issue. He will be back only when it is safe.”
The university called an emergency meeting after Al-Arian appeared on a Fox News program Wednesday and was questioned about his links to two suspected terrorists. Al-Arian said he knew the men only as academics.
Multiple threats were made after Al-Arian’s TV appearance.
The computer science professor founded the World and Islam Studies Enterprises, a now-defunct think tank that was at the university until the FBI raided it in 1995. Al-Arian has never been detained or charged with a crime.
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