SPANISH MUSLIM DENIED ENTRY TO U.S., JAILED IN FLORIDA
Woman reportedly interrogated, strip-searched, placed in maximum security

(TAMPA, FL, 4/13/2006) - The Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) will hold a news conference today in Clearwater to address concerns about the treatment of a Spanish Muslim woman who was allegedly interrogated for more than six hours, strip-searched and placed in a maximum security lock-up following her arrival at Tampa International Airport on Tuesday. She was also forced to remove her religiously-mandated head scarf, or hijab, while in detention.

The woman, a Spanish citizen of Iraqi descent, planned to visit her teenage son who lives with his father in Pinellas County. A representative of CAIR-FL and an attorney were able to interview the woman in the Pinellas County Jail. Security officials say she will be sent out of the country this afternoon.

WHAT: CAIR-FL News Conference on Treatment of Spanish Muslim Woman
WHEN: Thursday, April 13, Noon
WHERE: On the sidewalk outside the Pinellas County Jail, 14400 49th Street, Clearwater, FL
CONTACT: CAIR-FL Tampa Director Ahmed Bedier, 813-731-9506, E-Mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Members of the woman’s family will be on hand at the news conference to address the media. Her ex-husband once spent time in an Iraqi prison for speaking out against Saddam Hussein and has been recognized by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush as a symbol of progress in Iraq.