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Florida Muslims Decry Leniency For Terrorist

4/14/2003) 

 Florida's office of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today expressed deep disappointment over the government's failure to charge as a "terrorist" a man who was actively plotting to bomb 50 Islamic centers and Muslim schools in that state.

Robert Goldstein, 38, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to violate civil rights, attempting to damage religious property and a weapons possession charge. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Goldstein was arrested last August when authorities found a large arsenal in his town house. That arsenal included more than 30 explosive devices, light-armor rockets, hand grenades, a 5-gallon gasoline bomb, .50-caliber machine guns, and sniper rifles.

Authorities also found a detailed plan that called for planting bombs and using automatic weapons to attack a local mosque and cultural center. Goldstein had a list targeting 50 Muslim institutions in the Tampa area.

According to court documents, Goldstein, who is Jewish, wanted to make a statement for "his people" following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

SEE: MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO BOMB PLOT
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/04/04/TampaBay/Man_pleads_guilty_to_.shtml

CAIR-FL is calling on the U.S. Attorney's office to explain why Goldstein
was not charged as a terrorist under the USA Patriot Act of 2001, and why
no effort was made to seek testimony from the intended Muslim victims.

"The fact that Goldstein was not charged as a terrorist demonstrates that
the Patriot Act is a tool to be used solely against Muslims and Arabs,"
said CAIR-FL Executive Director Altaf Ali.

"The leniency shown in this case sends the wrong signal to Florida's Muslim
community. It signals that the charges and sentencing for planned acts of
terrorism now depend on the perpetrator's religion and ethnicity," added
CAIR-FL Communications Director Ahmed Bedier.

CAIR-FL is urging the sentencing judge and the probation department to hear
from the Muslim community and issue a tougher sentence than the maximum of
15 years agreed to in the plea bargain.

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