A woman of Palestinian descent was arrested on Tuesday on
immigration charges for allegedly lying about her conviction for a deadly
bombing in Israel in 1969.
Rasmieh Yousef Odeh, 66, lied on immigration papers when she
came to the U.S. from Jordan in 1995 and before she became a naturalized U.S.
citizen in 2004, according to a federal indictment.
Making an initial appearance in a Chicago courtroom, Odeh
appeared confused at times about the proceedings, leaning over to speak to an
attorney.
The indictment was handed down in Detroit, where at least
part of Odeh’s naturalization process took place. She was arrested Tuesday
morning at her home in Evergreen Park, just southwest of Chicago, according to
prosecutors.
If convicted of immigration fraud, Odeh could face up to 10
years in a U.S. prison. She could also lose her U.S. citizenship.
Odeh’s Chicago-based attorney, James Fennerty, declined any
comment after yesterday’s hearing.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Mason ordered that Odeh remain
in custody while her passports were retrieved and turned over to authorities.
Another hearing was scheduled for later Tuesday afternoon.
Odeh was arrested and charged with a series of bombings in
Jerusalem in 1969, which killed two people. Israeli authorities have said the
attacks were planned by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
An Israeli military court sentenced Odeh to life in prison
in 1970, but she was released 10 years later in a prisoner exchange with the
Popular Front. Israel released 76 prisoners in exchange for an Israeli soldier
captured in Lebanon, according to Odeh’s indictment.
No comments:
Post a Comment