WASHINGTON: Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chief of Kashmiri American Council, handed himself over to the Maryland prison authorities on Tuesday in presence of his close friends and family associates.
He was sentenced on March 30 to two years in jail on changes of illegally working for a foreign government to influence American policy on Kashmir, lying to the state authorities, and tax violation. Fai was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release by a court in Alexandria, Virginia. He then offered self-surrender after graduation of his child in June. The court accepted the request and called July 10 as his official imprisonment date.
Talking to The News, Dr Fai admitted that he had committed mistake but his cause was wise. “I made mistake, but the Kashmir cause is wise. My mistake has not affected the cause. Even the judge appreciated it. People have come to realize that Kashmir is an international issue,” he said adding that his message to his admirers is not to lose hope.
“I am short of words for what people have expressed. I got hundreds of emails and telephone calls from sympathizers. I will continue highlighting the Kashmir issue,” Fai said.
Dr Fai, however, has been kept in a Cumberland minimum security prison in Maryland, where he will be allowed to use internet and telephone, write articles and do conference calls on regular basis, while he can also entertain at least 15 visitors per month.
He has also been permitted to continue his research on Kashmir. Dr Fai was arrested by the FBI on July 19 last year and had subsequently pleaded guilty before the court. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-119847-Dr-Fai-goes-to-jail-but-a-comfortable-one
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