Islamic Charity Co-Founder Released

November 30, 2007

Author: WILLIAM McCALL

Source: Boston Examiner

Wire Service: AP

http://www.examiner.com/a-1079200~Islamic_Charity_Co_Founder_Released.html

The co-founder of an Islamic charity was released from jail Friday while he awaits trial on federal tax and conspiracy charges.

Pirouz Sedaghaty, known as Pete Seda, had been held at the Lane County Jail in Eugene while federal prosecutors argued against his release.

Sedaghaty, 49, left the country in 2003, more than a year before a federal grand jury indicted him and the Oregon chapter of the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation on charges of smuggling $150,000 to Muslim fighters in Chechnya.

The native of Iran has pleaded not guilty and said he returned in August to clear his name.

Sedaghaty and his attorney, Larry Matasar, declined to comment on the release. Matasar had continually assured U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan that Sedaghaty would meet all conditions imposed by the court.