Dr Ali al-Tamimi cleared after two decades of wrongful imprisonment

Washington DC - After 15 years of imprisonment and five years of house arrest, a US appellate court has finally overturned the conviction of Islamic scholar and cancer researcher, Dr Ali al-Tamimi.

For two decades, al-Tamimi was wrongfully imprisoned in the US on conviction of soliciting treason. This followed statements at a private gathering in which he encouraged the defence of Muslim lands from invasion and occupation.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment and served 15 years before being placed under house arrest in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and an ongoing appeal process. In 2024, a judge overturned three of the ten counts on which he was convicted.  

Last week, a panel of three judges unanimously quashed the remainder of the convictions on the basis that his statements were protected under the First Amendment. Two of the judges surprisingly cited US President Donald Trump’s 2021 speech, exhorting followers to march on the Capitol following his electoral loss.

“The First Amendment’s protection does not depend on the popularity or palatability of the message conveyed. On the contrary, it is most vital when speech offends, disturbs, or challenges prevailing sensibilities,” the judges wrote.

CAGE International’s Head of Public Advocacy, Anas Mustapha, said:

“We have long advocated for Dr al-Tamimi’s release from prison. Despite being denied his freedom for two decades, we are relieved that the spurious convictions against him have been thrown out. We hope that this decision now marks an end to the ongoing persecution that this well-respected Islamic scholar has had to endure.”

“The judgement in his favour comes at the time in which basic civil liberties in the US and other parts of the Western world are under increasing threat. Al-Tamimi’s case should set a precedent to reaffirm the basic right to free speech and expression of political dissent.”  

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