In May 2006, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia issued a subpoena to Al-Arian to testify before a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, in an investigation into the alleged financing of terror by the Herndon, Virginia-based International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).[1][96] The subpoena was served on Al-Arian in October 2006.[86] He sought to quash it on the assertion that his plea agreement prevented his being forced to testify before the Virginia grand jury.[86] He said the government had agreed that he would not be required to cooperate with it in any manner, though that specific agreement was not reflected in the written plea agreement.[86] In a verbal agreement that he says appears in court transcripts, federal prosecutors agreed he would not have to testify in Virginia.[97] Second, Al-Arian also said he refused to testify because he believed "his life would be in danger if he testified."[96] Third, Al-Arian claimed he has no information that could further the investigation.[96] Fourth, Al-Arian said he would not testify because he felt IIIT was inappropriately charged.[98] When called before the grand jury on October 19, Al-Arian refused to answer questions about IIIT.[99]