U.S. Deports Hamas Leader
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AMMAN, Jordan — Hamas leader Mousa abu Marzuk arrived in Jordan on Monday after 21 months in detention in the United States for violating immigration laws.
“I leave the ordeal of my imprisonment behind me to resume the lawful and internationally sanctioned activities that will lead to a redress of Palestinian rights,” Abu Marzuk said in a statement released in the United States. “In so doing, I leave U.S. policymakers to grapple with their collective conscience over my wrongful imprisonment.”
In Amman, the Jordanian capital, an official of the Islamic militant group said Abu Marzuk “arrived here safely.”
A U.S. resident for 15 years, Abu Marzuk was detained in July 1995--when he reentered the United States--because his name had been added to a list of suspected terrorists.
Israel recently dropped its request that the United States extradite him for trial in attacks that killed 47 people--apparently deciding that prosecuting him would worsen already tense relations with the Palestinians.
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In some 1997 stories, and stories from 2001 onward, Mousa abu Marzuk is referred to as Mousa abu Marzook.
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