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Saudi Doctor Returns to San Antonio
09/25/2001
By T.A. BADGER SAN ANTONIO — A doctor detained nearly two weeks by the FBI after the
terrorist attacks returned home Tuesday and proclaimed his innocence, but wouldn't
say whether he was no longer involved with the case.
Al-Badr Al-Hazmi, 34, had been held in New York as a material witness. He was released Monday after the FBI dropped the warrant.
Al-Hazmi, from Saudi Arabia, is completing a five-year medical residency in radiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center. He had been working at a military hospital located on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio in the days before the attacks.
Al-Hazmi denounced the terrorist acts during a hastily arranged news conference Tuesday outside his San Antonio townhouse.
``I'm totally innocent, guys,'' he said.
``Hatred is evil and love is good,'' he added. ``What happened on Sept. 11 doesn't have anything to do with any religion and nothing to do with Islam. I thank my God who gave me the strength to endure this hardship.''
Al-Hazmi said he had been told by his attorneys not to discuss the case further, including whether he would play any further role in the investigation.
Al-Hazmi's name was similar to two of the 19 hijackers. A law enforcement source, who spoke only on condition of anonymity, said authorities questioned the doctor about whether his credit card may have been stolen by the hijackers or their associates.
Friends welcomed Al-Hazmi home.
``This is a good day,'' said a smiling Said Motawea. Motawea and others from the Islamic Center of San Antonio have defended Al-Hazmi as a nonviolent man who could not have played a role in the terrorist attacks.
The chairman of the health center's radiology department said Al-Hazmi is welcome to resume his residency.
``This has been very traumatic for him and also for us,'' Dr. Gerald Dodd III said. ``We're very sensitive to the issues involved — potential concerns people might have and that Dr. Al-Hazmi might have.''
The FBI seized several boxes and a computer from Al-Hazmi's home, and university officials said at least one computer was removed from the health sciences center.
Al-Hazmi asked the media to refrain from speculating about the terrorism case ``because we are playing with lives.''
``Anyone in the media who accused me without knowing the facts, I forgive them,'' he said.
Associated Press