As a longtime friend of Dr. Osama El-Sayed Abdella El-Silimy and his family, I support them in this difficult time. I have known the family for five years and I believe that the doctor is a man of integrity who has gone out of his way to help people in the Aroostook County area.

The article, “Caribou physician accused of fraud” (BDN, Aug. 13) inadequately represented his side of the story. According to this nation’s justice system, a man is innocent until proven guilty. El-Silimy has worked his whole life to help others in need; keeping this in mind, let us all give him the benefit of the doubt.

Martin Voigt

Fort Kent