The judge in the case of a suspended University of Iowa professor hopes to make a decision this week regarding whether depositions will be public in the case, according to an attorney.

Defense attorney Rockne Cole, representing UI radiology Professor Malik Juweid, said 6th District Judge Patrick Grady will likely decide whether the media will be allowed to be present during depositions for the trial this week.

Juweid, 50, filed a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission in December 2010 alleging that his supervisor, UI radiology Professor Lauri Fajardo, referred to him as an "academic terrorist" and called a Pakistani staff member "Osama bin Laden."

On the recommendation of the Threat Assessment Team, Juweid was placed on paid leave after UI employees said they felt threatened in conversations and by his continual emails. On May 6, Juweid filed a lawsuit naming the UI, state Board of Regents, and numerous UI officials, claiming UI officials retaliated against him for speaking out against discrimination against Arab Americans and the medical mistreatment of children.

— by Mary Kate Knorr