Samih Ossaily
The so-called Al-Qaeda Link with Antwerp & Diamonds.
For everyone that doesn't know me, here's a small introduction. I am Belgian and originally Lebanese. I was born and raised in Koïdu Town, Sierra Leone. This is one of the richest diamond mining areas of Sierra Leone. My father was a diamond dealer and I started doing rough diamond business from a very early age. I've always worked within the African continent. I've been coming to Belgium since I was a very young boy and I lived here for over 20 years. I never really lived in Lebanon, in total I spent there only 5 years.
I was married for 7 years to a Belgian woman and had two children with her. A very ugly custody battle turned in to a battle against the world.
The so-called Al-Qaeda Link with Antwerp & Diamonds.
For everyone that doesn't know me, here's a small introduction. I am Belgian and originally Lebanese. I was born and raised in Koïdu Town, Sierra Leone. This is one of the richest diamond mining areas of Sierra Leone. My father was a diamond dealer and I started doing rough diamond business from a very early age. I've always worked within the African continent. I've been coming to Belgium since I was a very young boy and I lived here for over 20 years. I never really lived in Lebanon, in total I spent there only 5 years.
I was married for 7 years to a Belgian woman and had two children with her. A very ugly custody battle turned in to a battle against the world.
It all started by my ex-wife in the battle for visitation right of my 2 children. She told the judge that I was a terrorist and he ordered an investigation. She wants at all costs the full custody of the children but she never knew the consequences of those words. Especially with September 11, it became bigger than she could ever dream of.
Not long after, on November 2nd, 2001 this article was published. November 2nd, 2001 this article was published.
Al-Qaeda cash tied to diamond trade by Douglas Farah, The Washington Post, November 2, 2001(English)
Really, the first time that I read this article, I laughed! I couldn't believe that it was actually me that they were talking about, 90% of this article is not true (Just as if my Ex-wife had a meeting with Farah Douglas). Check and double check is not anymore a part of a journalists vocabulary! They hear a word and make up a story that they call freedom of speech! All what Farah Douglas did was playing words and changing names. There is no following line in the story and he jumps from one thing to another. It never had anything to do with the truth what so ever.
The International Peace Information Service, based in Antwerp under Johan Peleman, analyzed the article and tried to clear up the missing parts.
Antwerp, Blamed again by Christian Dietrich and Peter Dansaert, IPIS & Diamondstudies.com, November 16, 2001(English)
Johan Peleman is also a weapons expert and a representative for the United Nations.
Douglas Farah admit to me personally that he had no proof or bases for his article and promised me that he would make a new and correct article. The new article came but there was no sign of correction. Surprise, surprise!
Digging up Congo's Dirty Gems by Douglas Farah, December 30, 2001(English) December 30, 2001(English)
Farah was interrogated by the High Diamond Council (HRD) about what he wrote in the article. He answered again that he doesn't have any foundation to base himself on. Meaning, no proves, no evidence and a sincere (hum) apology to the HRD. But this one we are still waiting for.
Belgian senate Parliamentary research commission, January 11, 2002(French, Dutch)
Belgian senate Parliamentary research commission, June 21, 2002(French, Dutch)
In the session of January 11, 2002 high people in the diamond world were skeptical about my involvement in any terrorist organization. Peter Meeus from the HRD said that in the investigation from the United Nations showed that there is no link found with Al-Qaeda. This investigation sent 5 people to 10 different African countries spread over a period of 18 months. He mentioned that Johan Peleman does not believe that there is a connection between me and Al-Qaeda. If the Belgian court has more information it would come as a surprise for him. This already shows the contradiction to Farah's articles.
The NGO Global Witness also did an investigation and published a report without talking to me first. Conclusion, a lot of air but still nothing concrete, just as the official report (can't be specified for security reasons). Global witness tried hard but not hard enough, again they admit making many mistakes and they promised me a correction but until now, nothing. (Who would have guessed!)
For a few dollars more: How Al-Qaeda moved into the diamond trade by Global Witness, may 2003.(English)
On April 11, 2002 I was arrested and I spent 15 months in prison. I still don't know why. Until today I didn't see any proof or evidence against me. The day they show me what I did wrong I will accept it but never before that. The Belgian court kept me incarcerated under pressure of the United States. This is what the Belgian vice- minister of foreign affairs said in a TV program on RTBF, Au nom de la loi: Les Armes du diamante, June 4, 2003. Belgian vice- minister of foreign affairs said in a TV program on RTBF, Au nom de la loi: Les Armes du diamante, June 4, 2003. Suddenly no one knows anymore why they had to arrest me in the first place. But hey, that's ok, the only thing it did to me was that I can't see my children and my name will always be linked with Al-Qaeda.
More than one of my fundamental rights were violated in Belgium, a country that is supposed to be democratic, a country that is supposed to have a good legal system and qualified judges and magistrates. It's a joke! They have the power to do whatever they want or feel like.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10, 1948(English) December 10, 1948(English)
I have contacted several people and organizations such as the Human Rights organizations, embassies (I am originally Lebanese with Belgian citizenship). No one could do anything and actually until today I am still waiting to hear from them.
How can I ever prove my innocence if no one wants to listen to me. I can shout as loud as I can, no one will listen. The worst part is that I'm not alone in this struggle. My family is also affected, having the name Ossaily is not so common anymore. The closest people to me were dragged down together with me and there is nothing I can do about it. They tried to break me and maybe they broke everything around me but they will never break my spirit, my character and my person.
They made a very big mistake in choosing me as an example. I will fight for an acquittal!
One of million reasons why I never worked for Al-Qaeda and never will. I am a Shiite Muslim. During the occupation of Afghanistan by the Russians, Osama Bin Laden eliminated and murdered as many Shiites as he possibly could. How could I ever work for someone who killed my people? How can I ever betray my family's religion?
If he ever invested in diamonds to assure his wealth, it had nothing to do with me what so ever!
During the first house search from the Federal Police I was in Lebanon. My father had been suffering from liver cancer for the last year and he passed away in February 2002. My fiancée called to tell me that she had a visit from the police. I had no idea at all what was going on and I left my fathers' funeral to find out. Question: If I really did a crime, would I come back to Belgium? Would I not stay right where I was, in Lebanon?
liver cancer for the last year and he passed away in February 2002. My fiancée called to tell me that she had a visit from the police. I had no idea at all what was going on and I left my fathers' funeral to find out. Question: If I really did a crime, would I come back to Belgium? Would I not stay right where I was, in Lebanon?
The most important thing for me is that I can show my children, whom I didn't see for 3,5 years, the truth. That I am not the terrorist and criminal that people made me. They know I was in prison but they don't know I'm innocent. The day I will see my precious children, I will have to explain why all this happened to me and why it caused for them to miss their father. It will not be easy but I have the documents and paperwork to prove that what I say is true.
The full and complete story will be published in my book after the trial. By the end of 2004 this should be finished and than everyone will know the ending of this Media war.
For All Articles and the full story you can visit my site at www.powow.com/samihossaily
Not long after, on November 2nd, 2001 this article was published. November 2nd, 2001 this article was published.
Al-Qaeda cash tied to diamond trade by Douglas Farah, The Washington Post, November 2, 2001(English)
Really, the first time that I read this article, I laughed! I couldn't believe that it was actually me that they were talking about, 90% of this article is not true (Just as if my Ex-wife had a meeting with Farah Douglas). Check and double check is not anymore a part of a journalists vocabulary! They hear a word and make up a story that they call freedom of speech! All what Farah Douglas did was playing words and changing names. There is no following line in the story and he jumps from one thing to another. It never had anything to do with the truth what so ever.
The International Peace Information Service, based in Antwerp under Johan Peleman, analyzed the article and tried to clear up the missing parts.
Antwerp, Blamed again by Christian Dietrich and Peter Dansaert, IPIS & Diamondstudies.com, November 16, 2001(English)
Johan Peleman is also a weapons expert and a representative for the United Nations.
Douglas Farah admit to me personally that he had no proof or bases for his article and promised me that he would make a new and correct article. The new article came but there was no sign of correction. Surprise, surprise!
Digging up Congo's Dirty Gems by Douglas Farah, December 30, 2001(English) December 30, 2001(English)
Farah was interrogated by the High Diamond Council (HRD) about what he wrote in the article. He answered again that he doesn't have any foundation to base himself on. Meaning, no proves, no evidence and a sincere (hum) apology to the HRD. But this one we are still waiting for.
Belgian senate Parliamentary research commission, January 11, 2002(French, Dutch)
Belgian senate Parliamentary research commission, June 21, 2002(French, Dutch)
In the session of January 11, 2002 high people in the diamond world were skeptical about my involvement in any terrorist organization. Peter Meeus from the HRD said that in the investigation from the United Nations showed that there is no link found with Al-Qaeda. This investigation sent 5 people to 10 different African countries spread over a period of 18 months. He mentioned that Johan Peleman does not believe that there is a connection between me and Al-Qaeda. If the Belgian court has more information it would come as a surprise for him. This already shows the contradiction to Farah's articles.
The NGO Global Witness also did an investigation and published a report without talking to me first. Conclusion, a lot of air but still nothing concrete, just as the official report (can't be specified for security reasons). Global witness tried hard but not hard enough, again they admit making many mistakes and they promised me a correction but until now, nothing. (Who would have guessed!)
For a few dollars more: How Al-Qaeda moved into the diamond trade by Global Witness, may 2003.(English)
On April 11, 2002 I was arrested and I spent 15 months in prison. I still don't know why. Until today I didn't see any proof or evidence against me. The day they show me what I did wrong I will accept it but never before that. The Belgian court kept me incarcerated under pressure of the United States. This is what the Belgian vice- minister of foreign affairs said in a TV program on RTBF, Au nom de la loi: Les Armes du diamante, June 4, 2003. Belgian vice- minister of foreign affairs said in a TV program on RTBF, Au nom de la loi: Les Armes du diamante, June 4, 2003. Suddenly no one knows anymore why they had to arrest me in the first place. But hey, that's ok, the only thing it did to me was that I can't see my children and my name will always be linked with Al-Qaeda.
More than one of my fundamental rights were violated in Belgium, a country that is supposed to be democratic, a country that is supposed to have a good legal system and qualified judges and magistrates. It's a joke! They have the power to do whatever they want or feel like.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10, 1948(English) December 10, 1948(English)
I have contacted several people and organizations such as the Human Rights organizations, embassies (I am originally Lebanese with Belgian citizenship). No one could do anything and actually until today I am still waiting to hear from them.
How can I ever prove my innocence if no one wants to listen to me. I can shout as loud as I can, no one will listen. The worst part is that I'm not alone in this struggle. My family is also affected, having the name Ossaily is not so common anymore. The closest people to me were dragged down together with me and there is nothing I can do about it. They tried to break me and maybe they broke everything around me but they will never break my spirit, my character and my person.
They made a very big mistake in choosing me as an example. I will fight for an acquittal!
One of million reasons why I never worked for Al-Qaeda and never will. I am a Shiite Muslim. During the occupation of Afghanistan by the Russians, Osama Bin Laden eliminated and murdered as many Shiites as he possibly could. How could I ever work for someone who killed my people? How can I ever betray my family's religion?
If he ever invested in diamonds to assure his wealth, it had nothing to do with me what so ever!
During the first house search from the Federal Police I was in Lebanon. My father had been suffering from liver cancer for the last year and he passed away in February 2002. My fiancée called to tell me that she had a visit from the police. I had no idea at all what was going on and I left my fathers' funeral to find out. Question: If I really did a crime, would I come back to Belgium? Would I not stay right where I was, in Lebanon?
liver cancer for the last year and he passed away in February 2002. My fiancée called to tell me that she had a visit from the police. I had no idea at all what was going on and I left my fathers' funeral to find out. Question: If I really did a crime, would I come back to Belgium? Would I not stay right where I was, in Lebanon?
The most important thing for me is that I can show my children, whom I didn't see for 3,5 years, the truth. That I am not the terrorist and criminal that people made me. They know I was in prison but they don't know I'm innocent. The day I will see my precious children, I will have to explain why all this happened to me and why it caused for them to miss their father. It will not be easy but I have the documents and paperwork to prove that what I say is true.
The full and complete story will be published in my book after the trial. By the end of 2004 this should be finished and than everyone will know the ending of this Media war.
For All Articles and the full story you can visit my site at www.powow.com/samihossaily
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Welcome to the club,
31.05.2005 19:04
a CPA practicing in Richardson, Texas. I was born in Damascus, Syria to a parent from the ruling family at that time; and who had to leave the country after March of 1963.
On April 26, 2005 the U.S. Dept of Treasury – Office of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC) seized my assets and, closed all my businesses, and declared
me as “Designated Foreign National” because of some, made-up and
uncorroborated internet stories according to what the Treasury communicated
to me. The evidence was a UN report constructed by Johan Peleman, to whom a person named Victor Bout refuse to pay a bribe that suppose to look like a donation to Peleman's non-for-profit organization in Antwerp, Belgium. Peleman, accordingly, became on the payroll of the PHOENIX CORPORATION, lead by Alexi Yantchok, a major arm trafficker in Africa and East Europe. Peleman, who is playing the expert in Freetown, happened to be the expert on Somalia, a country he never visited, and Angola where he stayed at the Phoenix complex, and score of others. The irony of the UN Corruption is the problem, rather than governments who blindly find themselves compelled to follow the lead.
I am not writing you to debate the issue but rather the procedure, for I
have learned before that under the constitution, which you were sworn to
protect and defend, people are presumed innocent until found guilty beyond
the shadow of doubt; not executed before being accused, indicted, tried,
found guilty and then sentenced.
The US Treasury assassinated my life, family, and reputation using Internet
Stories, no real, sufficient, or corroborated evidence, no witness, no
trial, nothing but internet stories, similar to any bad stories available
on the internet about the president of the United States, the
administration, or any other person the stories for which believers in
democracy and due-process should substantiate, or at-least inquire to
obtain proof prior to making judgment.
I have undisputable evidence to the contrary of the U.S. Treasury claims
and I can substantiate all my statements in a court of law; nontheless, I
was assasinated by the US Government prior even to asking me a question.
The treasury made a mistake that cannot be repaired, and they are now
trying to cover-up the trail and make all attempts to obstruct justice. I
am just a working man who cannot fight the US Treasury, and all I am asking
for is that you ask to see the evidence they used and I shall provide you
with all the answers neede to proff that the internet stories they used
were nothing, bout a reprint of a bad UN Report created in the year 2000 by
a corrupt UN Official named Johan Peleman. The relation established between
me and Victor Bout in that report is impossible to be correct, simply
because I was working in the United States, and attending schools
full-time, and teaching in Collin County Community Colleges during the
time-frame the report portrait me as a full-time time employee half-way
around the globe from 1997 until this day.
justice in the United States is now being rendered according to articles on the internet.
Richard Chichakli
Richard Chichakli
e-mail:
cpa@txcpa.net
Homepage:
http://www.txcpa.net