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=> Judge delays decision on releasing alleged Iraqi spy

Judge delays decision on releasing alleged Iraqi spy
Posted by Tiglath (Guest) davidchibo@hotmail.com - Saturday, September 11 2004, 18:42:19 (CEST)
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Judge delays decision on releasing alleged Iraqi spy

September 11, 2004

BY NATASHA KORECKI Staff Reporter Advertisement

A federal judge on Friday postponed a decision on whether to release an accused Iraqi spy pending trial, saying the case was too "highly charged" and she didn't want to make the wrong decision.

U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer asked why federal prosecutors waited so long to charge Sami Khoshaba Latchin, 57, of Des Plaines when his last alleged crime took place in 1998. Latchin is a suspected spy who worked at O'Hare Airport in baggage and security. He was charged with making false statements to U.S. immigration officials when applying for citizenship.

"I'm very aware this case was indicted the very last day it could have been," Pallmeyer said. "The government's known about his activities for years. . . . What makes him a flight risk now?"

Prosecutors said the necessary evidence wasn't available until recently. Pallmeyer deferred her decision to Monday.

In the meantime, federal prosecutors revealed more about their case against Latchin, including allegations that Saddam Hussein sent him to the United States as part of an Iraqi spy program set-up after the Persian-Gulf War.

They showed documents that Latchin had an interest in looking at the Assyrian community. Prosecutors also claimed Latchin worked as a spy in Greece in the 1980s while he held a job there with Iraqi Airlines.

Latchin is accused of being a "sleeper" agent for the Iraqis, sent here to gather intelligence and wait to be activated when necessary.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Conway put on the stand special FBI agent Joel Robertz, who said he met with Latchin 11 times over the years, and many of those times Latchin contacted the FBI to discuss the war in Iraq or the former ruling Baath Party.

Defense attorney Mary Judge said those meetings showed Latchin knew about the investigation but still did not flee.

Latchin's brother, Nadji Lachin, who spells his name differently, told Pallmeyer he was willing to put up his home as insurance that his brother wouldn't flee before trial.



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