Will Grigg's Liberty Minute

October 31, 2007

Egyptian citizen Abdallah Higazy was living in a hotel near the World Trade Center when the 9-11 attacks occurred.

After fleeing the hotel Higazy returned to collect his belongings, only to be arrested and accused of owning an aviation radio. Higazy was interrogated by an FBI agent who told him: ?If you don't cooperate ... [we'll] make sure Egyptian security gives your family hell.?

Sobbing and terrified, Higazy recanted his earlier denial, claimed that the radio was his, and was indicted for lying to a federal agent. The case against Higazy fell apart when the real owner of the aviation radio, an American pilot, returned to the hotel looking for it.

Higazy sued the FBI. A Federal judge dismissed the suit, ruling that the threat to have Higazy's family tortured by the Egyptians was not ?conscience-shocking or constitutionally oppressive.? In early October, an appeals court ruled that Higazy's lawsuit can proceed. But the initial ruling gives a glimpse of the depths to which our supposed protectors have sunk.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.