Border authorities arrest controversial Muslim cleric east of San Diego

U.S. border authorities have arrested a controversial Muslim cleric who was deported from Canada to Tunisia three years ago and was caught earlier this month trying to sneak into California inside the trunk of a BMW, according to court documents.

Said Jaziri, the former Imam of a Muslim congregation in Montreal, was hidden inside a car driven by a San Diego-area man who was pulled over by U.S. Border Patrol agents near an Indian casino east of San Diego. Jaziri allegedly paid a Tijuana-based smuggling group $5,000 to get him across the border near Tecate, saying he wanted to be taken to a “safe place anywhere in the U.S.”

The arrest marks the unexpected resurfacing of the 43-year-old cleric, whose protracted legal battle to avoid deportation drew headlines in Canada. A Tunisian immigrant, Jaziri was deported for failing to disclose a criminal conviction in France while applying for refugee status in the mid-1990s.

But Jaziri’s supporters said he was targeted for his fundamentalist views: Jaziri backed Sharia law for Canadian Muslims and led protests over the publication of the prophet Muhammad cartoons in a Danish newspaper in 2006.

Jaziri is being held as a material witness in the criminal case against the BMW’s driver, Kenneth Robert Lawler, who has been charged with immigrant smuggling. He is at the San Luis Detention Facility near Yuma, Ariz., according to his attorney, Wayne Charles Mayer. His bond has been set at $25,000.

In Quebec’s large Muslim community, Jaziri stood out for his outspoken views, and though his mosque was small, he drew outsized media attention for his strict interpretation of the Koran. Jaziri labeled homosexuality a sin and pushed for government subsidies to build a large mosque for Montreal’s growing Muslim population.

“His nickname in Quebec was the controversial imam,” said Lise Garon, a professor of communications at Laval University in Quebec City, adding that his case tapped into the anti-immigrant mood in the community. “I think he was deported because people hated his ideas.”

Jaziri opposed his deportation to Tunisia because of fears he would be tortured by the government. His case drew support from Muslim organizations and Amnesty International. It’s unclear what his treatment was like in Tunisia.

According to the court documents, a Mexican foot guide led Jaziri and a Mexican immigrant over the fence near Tecate and he trekked overnight through the rugged back country, to a road where drivers frequently pick up immigrants for smuggling runs into San Diego.

Border Patrol agents, alerted by fire fighters who saw the immigrants get in the trunk, pulled the car over near the Golden Acorn Casino, about 50 miles east of San Diego. He told agents that his journey to the border had been a long one. He took a flight from Africa to Europe, then to Central America and Chetumal, Mexico, on the Mexico-Belize border, where he took a bus to Tijuana.

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-- Richard Marosi in San Diego

Comments

[tarwater]

" ...he wanted to be taken to a “safe place anywhere in the U.S.”

Perhaps Leavenworth, Kansas?

[j]

Keep him in prison for life!

[Verballistic]

Thank you Border Patrol, for doing your much-needed job & keeping RADICAL Muslim extremists from infesting our great country like rats sneaking in through the sewage pipes.

The terrorist-sympathizing ACCOMPLICE that stuck him in the car trunk needs to do SERIOUS time in prison for MANY years...

[jojo]

AND SEAL THE DAMN BORDER!

[Gina]

Isn't it ironic that Jaziri wants to be taken to a "safe place anywhere in the U.S." where he will be safe from government censorship and torture for his ideas, ideas like the imposition of fundamentalist Sharia law which censors and tortures people (especially women) for daring to think or speak out differently. Since he can't respect the right of people to live amongst others with differing view points and beliefs and freedoms, he needs to be sent back to Tunisia immediately.

[Andrew]

really sounds like someone we want in the US

[CJSinSD]

Great timing given the protracted battle for approval of construction of a large, new mosque in the Temecula area. This type of behavior by a Muslim cleric perpetuates the shadow of concern many feel about the total absence of self-policing by practioners of the religion. If indeed it is a non-violent, pacific religion, perhaps a little help with members who are decidely less so would be appreciated.

[roovialk]

Mexican terrorists helping islamic terrorists in their mutual goal to destroy the US. What else is new? And stupid Obama attacks brave Arizona as they try to secure our southern border from these enemies of our way of life. When will people wake up and realize we are under attack from the south and must deport all illegal aliens before they make good on their goals?

[Joe]

But still these idiots don't close the border.

[Dave]

This must be one of the "good" Muslims Obama's always talking about. All good people ride in trunks.

[AAAAANDREE]

Aww Geeze, he was just looking for a better life for his family. ;-(

[phil]

And all you pro-illegal immigrant types (our Mayor included) still want to keep the borders open?

[Zeek Wolfe]

Bail of $25,000? How about twenty five million? Because that's how much damage this radical will cause once he is free. This guy will be looking for the nearest subway with bombs strapped to his chest. Our government and judiciary is run by fools. This once again proves it.

[Tom]

What will the pro-Latino and pro-illegal alien exploitation businesses/open borders types say after this arrest?

Shut down the border for U.S. national security, crime prevention, improved employment opportunities and better wages for those at the bottom of the economic ladder, and to help reduce the strain on the federal, state and local budgets. Shut down the border to reduce the flow of cash and arms to Mexico, to reduce the slaughters in their streets, reduce the exploitation and victimization of immigrants who desire to come to the U.S. (and for those who make it here) and to provide better employment opportunities for Mexican citizens in Mexico.

It works all the way around. Latinos and immigrant rights advocates - think logically and put aside your ethnic sympathies - they are getting people hurt and killed - primarily the Latinos you champion.

[Patriot Lover]

Is there still any question as to why we need to physically close down our borders? Had it not been for the fire fighters doing their work and reporting the good Reverend being jammed inside of the BMW trunk, he would today be somewhere here in the U.S. working to help overthrow our government. When are we going to wake-up?

[Joe]

WOW, see how easy a Muslim Terrorist can sneek into the US, while Odumbo sits on his rear and tells more lies!

[Yikes]

Poor undocumented alien. You liberals side with and embrace Islam, but Islam says death to homosexuals. What's it going to be?

[Frixx]

What no comments?

Where are all those who have claimed that only people who want a better life are crossing our southern border?

Thank you Border Patrol.

How many lives did this save?

[FutureView]

Secure the border. Please.

[Duped Tax Payer]

Dumb cleric. Should have asked the help of the drug cartels. They can get anything into the US.

[tom]

jail forever.

[San Diego]

Thanks Border Patrol (and the local firefighters) for nabbing this guy. Do we need any more evidence that the entire US/Mexico Border needs to be secure?

[luis franco]

This could only be worse if he had been a Mexican Muslim Cleric

[Tom]

Hey L.A. Times censor: Do posts get automatically vaporized if the magic words "illegal alien"appear?

[JayCeezy]

THIS SHOULD BE ON THE FRONT PAGE!!!