CAIR-LA CALLS FOR PROBE OF UCLA TASER INCIDENT

Student given multiple stun gun shocks by campus police

(ANAHEIM, CA, 11/16/06) - The Southern California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called for an independent investigation of an incident late Tuesday in which a student at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) was given multiple “Taser” stun gun shocks by campus police.

CAIR-LA was contacted by several UCLA students who expressed their concern about possible civil rights violations by police officers.

The incident began when the student, Mostafa Tabatabainejad, was asked to leave a computer lab after he failed to produce a student ID during a random check. The entire incident was captured on video by another student. While being stunned, Tabatabainejad informed the officers he had a medical condition.

SEE: Student Shot with Taser by UCPD Officers (Daily Bruin) http://dailybruin.com/news/articles.asp?id=38958
Video Shows UCLA Police Using Stun Gun on Student (NBC 4) http://www.nbc4.tv/news/10325914/detail.html
A Third Incident, A New Video (Los Angeles Times) http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-cellcamera16nov16,1,2951795.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:

“It is hard to see the justification for repeatedly using pain-inducing weapons on a person who was apparently not a threat to any officer or student. We call on state and national authorities, including the FBI, to launch an independent investigation of this disturbing incident. Given the circumstances involved, only an outside, independent probe will ensure that the civil rights aspects of this case are being taken seriously and will be addressed in an impartial manner.”

CAIR has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.