Washington, D.C.: US Immigration authorities have finally made the decision to release British journalist and pro-Palestinian commentator Sami Hamdi after detaining him for over two weeks. The move comes following significant international pressure regarding human rights and the freedom of expression.
The Context of Detention
The 35-year-old Sami Hamdi was taken into custody on October 26 at San Francisco Airport by the US Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. At the time of his arrest, Hamdi was traveling within the US as part of his speaking campaign against Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza.
Arab media sources confirm that Hamdi’s lawyers and family have validated the release decision, stating that he will soon return to his home country, bringing relief to his supporters globally.
Allegations of Retaliation
Hamdi’s legal team maintained a strong position that their client was targeted solely because of his activities. The lawyers stressed that Hamdi was not accused of any crime or security threat whatsoever.
According to the legal representatives, the US government canceled Hamdi’s visa without any prior notification, and subsequently arrested him on a “preposterous allegation” of ‘overstaying his visa.’ The lawyers emphasized that Hamdi’s detention was directly linked to his outspoken pro-Palestine stance and his criticism of Israeli policies, labeling the entire action as a serious attack on the freedom of expression.
The decision to release Sami Hamdi is seen as a partial victory for those advocating against attempts to suppress political dissent and the right to criticize foreign policy.
