Jordanian arrested at O'Hare, released by judge

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CHICAGO (AP) — A Jordanian man arrested at O'Hare International Airport after his name appeared on a list of fugitives was released Friday after authorities in Minnesota, where he was wanted for failing to appear for a trial, declined to seek his extradition.

Ismail Alqawasmi, 36, was taken into custody Thursday evening by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents after he arrived aboard a Royal Jordanian Airlines flight because the warrant — indicating he was wanted for making "terroristic threats" — turned up in a name check.

The warrant was issued by authorities in Wright County, Minn., after Alqawasmi didn't show up for an Oct. 5 jury trial on felony terroristic threat and misdemeanor assault charges stemming from a disagreement at a Minnesota home.

According to a criminal complaint, Alqawasmi went to a man's home in St. Michael, Minn., on Jan. 18, 2008 and pounded on the door, threatening to cut the man with a knife if he did not come outside and talk.

Under Minnesota statutes, a person can be charged with terroristic threats if he threatens to commit any crime of violence with the purpose of terrorizing another.

But the sheriff's department in Wright County, Minn., said the case is not a homeland security issue, and a Cook County Circuit Court judge dismissed the warrant after Minnesota officials said they did not want to travel to Chicago to pick up Alqawasmi.

Alqawasmi's home phone number in the Minneapolis suburb was disconnected, and he could not be reached for comment.

Court records indicate Alqawasmi, who lives in Richfield, Minn., was being represented by the county public defender's office. Attorney Michael Berger said he could not comment because he was discharged as Alqawasmi's attorney when his client failed to appear in court. Berger said when Alqawasmi returns, he will likely be required to re-apply for a public defender.

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