Parents of arrested USF student speak out

Yahia Megahed, 24, talks about his brother Youssef, who is being held on explosives charges in South Carolina. Youssef's sister, Mariam, back left, brother Yassien, father Samir and mother Ahlam also attended the press conference, along with Ahmed Bedier, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Tampa, left.

[Daniel Wallace | Times]

TAMPA -- The parents of Youssef Megahed, one of two University of South Florida students being held on an explosives charge in South Carolina, say their son is a dedicated student who works with mental health patients and would not be involved in any terrorist acts.

The parents, Samir and Ahlam Megahed, spoke for the first time publicy today at a news conference arranged by the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Tampa. They have not yet spoken to their son, who is being held in jail with fellow student, Ahmed Mohamed. Their three other children accompanied them at the news conference.

"I'm going to support him because I know he's innocent. He is innocent. I will not leave him in the prison,'' said Samir Megahed, 60, a civil engineer from Egypt.

The family showed photographs of Youssef spending time with them on St. Pete Beach. In the photos, he is smiling and wearing a scuba diving suit. In his spare time, Youssef Megahed also likes grilling food outdoors. His father says he always carries a small grill and equipment to cook outside in his car.

The family is heading to South Carolina this afternoon at 4 p.m. to try to speak with their son. The two students have been detained since Saturday, after they were stopped for speeding in Goose Creek, S.C., and police became suspicious. Authorities found pipe bombs in the trunk, an arrest affidavit says.

Abbie VanSickle, Times staff writer