Javed Iqbal operated a satellite television business out of his home in Staten Island, New York, and out of a storefront in Brooklyn. In August 2006, Iqbal's home was raided by the FBI after it was alleged that he provided satellite broadcasts from a television station controlled by Hezbollah. Iqbal's satellite company, HDTV Corp., was registered with the Federal Communications Commission.WashingtonPost.com: New Yorker Arrested for Providing Hezbollah TV Channel (August 25, 2006) The case was prosecuted under the Patriot Act.Bulldog Reporter: Satellite Dish Salesman Nabbed By Feds For Offering Access To... (2007)
On December 23, 2008, Iqbal pleaded guilty and agreed to serve up to six and a half years in prison. He will be sentenced on March 24, 2009.New York Post: Nyc Man Admits He Helped Air... (December 23, 2008)
Civil Liberties and Broadcast Media
Both Iqbal's lawyer and the American Civil Liberties Union were concerned that Iqbal's arrest violated the First Amendment. In August 2006, Iqbal's lawyer called the allegations "completely ridiculous" and said he did not know of another other instance where a person had violated the law in the U.S. by providing access to a news outlet. Donna Lieberman of the ACLU said it "raises serious First Amendment concerns," and said she was "deeply troubled" over Iqbal being charged.WashingtonPost.com: New Yorker Arrested for Providing Hezbollah TV Channel (August 25, 2006)
References
Fast Facts
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Javed Iqbal used his home to broadcast "Al Manar" the Lebanon based Hezbollah television stationNew York Post: Nyc Man Admits He Helped Air... (December 23, 2008)
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Both the United States and Israel consider Hezbollah to be a terrorist organization
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Hezbollah is blamed for deadly attacks in Lebanon
