Bridgeview Man Removed From Federal Terrorist List
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A southwest suburban man is finally free. Once again he can get a job, drive a car and buy gifts for his family on their birthdays.
On Wednesday, Muhammad Salah of Bridgeview was removed from the U.S. Treasury Department's list of terrorists, the SouthtownStar is reporting.
A statement released by the Center for Constitutional Rights called Salah, "One of the only United States citizens residing in the U.S. ever to have been designated as a 'terrorist' and subjected to the onerous economic sanctions that designation entails."
Two months ago, Salah and his attorney, Matthew Piers, filed suit in federal court challenging the government-imposed restrictions, which prevented him from paying a mortgage, getting medical care or even buying a loaf of bread without prior approval from the Treasury Department.
The Treasury confirmed that Salah has indeed been de-listed and issued a statement saying that under the regulations of the department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, "a designated person has the option to, at any time, seek administrative reconsideration of the designation."
"Mr. Salah chose not to avail himself of that process and instead filed suit against OFAC to be de-listed. In evaluating its response to Mr. Salah's complaint, OFAC determined that it was appropriate to remove Mr. Salah from the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons ('SDN List') based on current circumstances."
