MEDIA ADVISORY		FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5-30-02

Recent UI Graduate Arrested by INS:
Supporters Demand Answers

URBANA - On Thursday night, May 30, forty community supporters of
Ahmed Bensouda gathered at the Illini Union to demand answers and plan
their actions in the wake of Bensouda's arrest by the INS.  The group,
Friends of Ahmed, want to ensure that he is safe and that his rights
are not being violated, and they want to find out why Bensouda was
arrested and where he is being held.  

"I think it's incredibly unfair," said Raana Ahmed, a close friend of
Bensouda and spokesperson for Friends of Ahmed.  "He operated on
principles of justice for everyone.  He's a humanitarian--I don't see
how this is justified."

Ahmed Bensouda, who graduated with a political science degree from the
University of Illinois last month, was arrested by men who identified
themselves as federal agents at about 2:30 on Thursday afternoon.  The
agents gave no explanation for the arrest.  Friends said Bensouda was
questioned by the INS about a week ago, with the agents asking him
questions about September 11.

Bensouda is a Moroccan citizen who holds Gambian and Moroccan
passports and is in the United States on a student visa, which expires
in August 2002.  Bensouda was in the process of extending his visa.

Bensouda is an activist involved in human rights and anti-racism
issues.  He's a member of the Democratic Solidarity Committee, a
student group at the UIUC that takes action in solidarity with
oppressed people.  Recently, he's been involved in rallies and
protests in solidarity with Palestinian civilians.

Supporters at Thursday's meeting included members of Democratic
Solidarity Committee, Champaign-Urbana's anti-war group AWARE, members
of Illinois Student Government, Unity and Struggle, and others.  They
plan to maintain a constant vigil at Bensouda's residence, 205 W. High
St., Urbana, until their questions are answered.

For more information, contact:

Raana Ahmed, 217-201-1547 / rahmed@uiuc.edu
Al Kagan, AWARE's "Mutual Aid Pact" coordinator, 217-333-6519

http://www.ucimc.org/ahmed/