Former Islamic Charity Leader Released From Jail

The co-founder of an Oregon branch of an Islamic charity has been released from jail while he awaits trial on federal tax and conspiracy charges, reports the Associated Press.

Pirouz Sedaghaty, known as Pete Seda, had been held in Eugene, Ore., while federal prosecutors have argued against his release. Mr. Sedaghaty, a native of Iran, left the United States in 2003, more than a year before a federal grand jury indicted him and the Oregon arm of the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation on charges of smuggling $150,000 to Muslim fighters in Chechnya.

Mr. Sedaghaty has pleaded not guilty and said he returned in August to clear his name. The release order requires Mr. Sedaghaty to get a job and to cooperate with federal officials, who are allowed under the order to inspect his computer at any time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Cardani raised concerns during the hearings about Mr. Sedaghaty’s travels through the Middle East for nearly four years and argued he would be a flight risk and that he had promoted a radical version of Islam.