Ann Arbor Muslim leader Rabih Haddad was transferred from the custody of the U.S. Marshals of the Eastern District of Michigan to the U.S. Marshals of the Northern District of Illinois yesterday.

Haddad is being held in a federal institution in Chicago, where it is probable that he will be given a subpoena to appear in front of a grand jury in the future.

The move was met with the same outcry from Haddad"s supporters that has been heard since he was incarcerated on Dec. 14. They claim Haddad is being unfairly held without due process.

James Douglas, head of the U.S. Marshals Service of the Eastern District of Michigan, said that Haddad is not being treated unfairly and that the marshals are concerned for his safety.

"We are not heartless people," Douglas said.

Douglas also said the only charge Haddad faces is an expired visa violation, and the movement of a detainee in this situation is standard procedure. Haddad was held in the Monroe County Jail until Friday, when he was moved to an undisclosed location from which he was moved yesterday.

Douglas also said that due process has not been violated. He pointed out Haddad has already had two hearings and that the secrecy of the proceedings are for Haddad"s own good.

"We are concerned about his safety and security," Douglas said.

Members of the Islamic community questioned the transfer to Chicago. They alleged the government is trying to put pressure on Haddad to talk more about the Global Relief Foundation, the charity co-founded by Haddad, and its possible ties to terrorism.

"By taking him to Chicago, they are trying to break his spirit," said Homam Alburouti, a board member of the Michigan chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations.

Executive Director of Michigan CARE Haaris Ahmed said that he didn"t understand why the government is trying to keep every aspect of Haddad"s case quiet.

"There"s nothing sensitive here and they haven"t showed anything in what they would gain by keeping it secret," Ahmed said.

Haddad"s lead attorney, Ashraf Nubani, said that it is hard to discuss what the next step for Haddad will be because nothing is known yet. Nubani said that he has yet to see a subpoena which demands Haddad"s presence in Chicago.

Although he knew Haddad"s exact location on Monday, he was unable to speak to him until Wednesday.

"Pastor Haddad is under seal," Nubani said. "There is no doubt that everything is sealed in this case, and the government is not saying because they"re doing things behind closed doors. All this, for someone who hasn"t been charged for any crime within the United States."