Vermont Delegation Calls for Release of Detained Activist Mohsen Mahdawi
Washington, D.C. – Vermont’s congressional delegation convened on Tuesday to advocate for the immediate release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University student activist previously residing in Vermont, who was detained in Colchester earlier this month. Representative Becca Balint, D-Vermont, emphasized Mahdawi’s importance to the community, stating, "His story reflects how far we have strayed from our values."
The circumstances surrounding Mahdawi’s detention remain unclear, with federal authorities providing little information. Recent government filings, however, contain serious accusations against him, which his legal team describes as unsubstantiated. Authorities allege Mahdawi’s leadership in protests at Columbia University exhibited antisemitic behavior and purportedly had "serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States."
Significantly, a 2015 police report from Windsor is cited, involving a gun shop owner who claimed Mahdawi “supposedly told” him about building machine guns in Palestine for violent purposes against Jewish individuals. This report, based largely on hearsay from two community members, was reportedly closed by the police without further action.
Mahdawi’s attorneys argue that these allegations stem from a decade-old case based on unreliable testimony and stress that he was never criminally charged, asserting that he only possessed prescription medications at the time of a past border stop. Over 100 letters advocating for Mahdawi’s release have been submitted in court.
His legal team is set to present arguments for his release in federal court on Wednesday, a session that WCAX will cover closely. The poignant circumstances surrounding Mahdawi’s detention raise pressing questions about civil rights and due process as the community rallies for his defense.
————————————————————————
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
————————————————————————
