Middle East studies in the News

Saudi Arabia Consulate To Cover Legal Fees [on Richard Antoun]

by Aaron Axelson
Binghamton University Pipe Dream
December 14, 2009

http://www.bupipedream.com/Articles/Saudi-Arabia-Consulate-to-cover-legal-fees/13585

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/8868

According to a report from the Press & Sun-Bulletin, the graduate student accused of fatally stabbing a Binghamton University professor will have a lawyer and other legal fees paid for by the Saudi Arabian consulate.

Abdulsalam Al-Zahrani, a 46-year-old Saudi national, was provided an attorney by the consulate as part of Saudi policy for their citizens. The consulate retained New York City lawyer Frederica L. Miller to represent Al-Zahrani.

The report further stated that the consulate had not been aware of Al-Zahrani's studies in the United States or his age. The consulate requests Saudi students studying in the U.S. to register with them.

The consulate has kept Al-Zahrani's family in Saudi Arabia and one relative in the U.S. informed of the case and the scheduled court dates.

Al-Zahrani has been charged with murder in the second degree by the Broome County District Attorney Gerald Mollen after allegedly stabbing and killing BU anthropology professor Richard Antoun, 77, four times with a 6-inch kitchen blade Dec. 4.

A motive for the crime still has not been released, although a press release from Mollen dismissed the idea of an ethnic or religious motivation.

Al-Zahrani was arraigned Dec. 5 and has been held in Broome County Jail since then.

Note: Articles listed under "Middle East studies in the News" provide information on current developments concerning Middle East studies on North American campuses. These reports do not necessarily reflect the views of Campus Watch and do not necessarily correspond to Campus Watch's critique.

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