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Thursday June 27, 2002

Islamic Groups Praise Justice Dept.'s Response To Hate Crimes

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From assaults to acts of vandalism, the Justice Department has investigated 350 reports of crimes against people of Middle Eastern or South Asian origin since the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Prosecutors believe most of the crimes were in retaliation for the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. State and local authorities have begun prosecuting about 70 crimes, the Justice Department said. Federal charges have been brought in 10 cases.

Members of Islamic groups said the government has done a good job of checking on reports of backlash crimes.

"We have found the government to be extraordinarily cooperative," said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Washington-based Counsel on American-Islamic Relations. "They have followed up on crimes we have reported and they often call us to check on incidents that we put out information on in our public releases."

James Zogby, president of the Arab-American Institute in Washington, said the Justice Department "has performed admirably."

"The department is very serious about this," said Zogby, who received a death threat that led to a federal prosecution. "They come to our town meetings across the country and have worked very hard."

Boyd listed several recent cases the government has pursued.

On Sept. 26, 2001, prosecutors in Washington state indicted Patrick Cunningham for shooting two Islamic worshippers. Cunningham also doused two cars with gasoline, hoping to ignite them and blow up a mosque. Cunningham pleaded guilty on May 9.

In February, prosecutors in Massachusetts accused Zachary Rolnik of threatening to kill Zogby in a voicemail message. Rolnik pleaded guilty in June.

Among the crimes prosecuted was an alleged plot to blow up Rep. Darrell Issa 's district office. Issa, R-Calif., is of Arab descent. Those charges are still pending.
In testimony before the House Judiciary Committee Assistant Attorney General Ralph Boyd said several federal attorneys have been assigned to review all new hate-crime allegations and monitor ongoing investigations.

"The incidents have consisted of telephone, Internet, mail and face-to-face threats, minor assaults, as well as assaults with dangerous weapons," Boyd said. Other incidents include vandalism and plots to bomb homes, businesses and places of worship, he said.

U.S. prosecutors charged Irving Rublin and Earl Krugel with trying to blow up a mosque with a bomb in December 2001. The two were also charged with plotting to blow up Issa's district office.

Boyd said the Justice Department is working with local authorities and is ready to step in if prosecutors or investigators are unwilling to take on the cases.

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