Civil rights group calls on US authorities to explain investigation of halal foods supplier

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This Oct. 17, 2012 photo shows vehicles from local and federal officials outside Midamar Corp. following a raid on the Cedar Rapids, Iowa based maker of food for observant Muslims. A national civil rights organization is calling on U.S. authorities to explain their investigation of the Iowa company, saying it is troubled by the secrecy surrounding the seizure of the company’s bank account and records. (AP Photo/Cedar Rapids Gazette, Christy Aumer)

IOWA CITY, Iowa – A national civil rights organization is calling on U.S. authorities to explain their investigation of a leading maker of food for observant Muslims, saying it is concerned about the secrecy surrounding the seizure of the company’s bank account and records.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, says it wants more information about the Oct. 16 raid of the Midamar Corp. and the related investigation.

Spokesman Ibrahim Hooper says it isn’t fair for the Cedar Rapids-based company to be crippled by the seizure of its funds when it hasn’t been charged with a crime or even formally told what the government is investigating.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cedar Rapids is overseeing the investigation. Spokesman Peter Deegan says he cannot comment on sealed search warrants.

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