Lawyers for a local imam detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have filed an emergency petition for him to be released from custody at the Butler County Jail.See the story in the video aboveAyman Soliman’s attorneys announced they filed an emergency petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which is a legal action taken that demands immediate court intervention when someone believes they are being unlawfully detained or imprisoned. They also filed a request for a temporary restraining order in federal court.Soliman’s legal team claims that while being detained, he was placed into solitary confinement and was “subjected to anti-Muslim persecution by a corrections officer.” According to documents, his team claims Soliman’s solitary confinement lasted from Aug. 1 to Aug. 5.Butler County Sheriff’s Office Chief Anthony Dwyer said the situation began when Soliman was attempting to engage in a practice in a certain location within a pod. Dwyer said Soliman was told he couldn’t use that specific location but could use other locations, and that’s when Dwyer said Soliman became “argumentative,” “belligerent,” and “refused to go to his cell” when told.Dwyer said because of those violations, Soliman was given a ticket and placed in isolation and released after a few days. “We support everyone’s right to religious freedom. And we have roughly at times 1,000 inmates, and we deal with that on a daily basis for meal, food requirements, prayers,” Dwyer said. “We support everybody’s freedom, but you also have to abide by rules.”Soliman’s team also claims he was denied access to counsel.Dwyer said that while Soliman was in isolation, counsel visits were not restricted.”If his attorney came to our facility, he would be allowed to see him,” Dwyer said, saying counsel has a right to see him, but there are times when they only have access to phones for a limited time, but that rule applies to every inmate. Dwyer said Soliman did make calls while in isolation.WLWT is told there’s video of the incident that led to Soliman being taken to solitary. The action by Soliman’s team also seeks to prevent further ICE detention while his case plays out.Soliman was detained in July during a check-in with ICE at the Homeland Security Office in Blue Ash. Since then, he’s been held at the Butler County Jail.Soliman’s asylum status was revoked in June. In July, his attorneys filed a lawsuit challenging the termination of his asylum status. Last week, a judge issued a second temporary restraining order, allowing Soliman to continue to remain in Ohio until his next immigration hearing.Soliman’s next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12.

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