German court convicts Moroccan El Motassaddeq for involvement in 9/11 attacks
Morocco-Germany, Local, 2/20/2003

A Hamburg court on Wednesday sentenced Moroccan Mounir El Motassadek, to 15 years in jail for aiding in the 9/11 terror attacks against the US.

El Motassadeq, 28, was charged with membership in a terrorist organization, attempt of complicity in murder and grievous bodily harm.

The sentence was the maximum required by the attorneys of the civil party, representing 21 relatives of the victims.

El Motassadeq's attorney's required acquittal.

During the trial, held under stringent security measures, the Moroccan admitted having frequented three of the 9/11 attacks kamikaze attackers, namely Egyptian Mohammed Atta, Marwan Al-Shehhi (from the United Arab Emirates) and Lebanese Ziad Jarrah. However, he denied being aware of their projects to attack New York and Washington.

The Hamburg court has held more than 30 sessions and heard some 150 witnesses during El Motassadek's trial.

The defendant's attorneys wanted to have access to US confidential notes transmitted to German authorities and that could help in the defense of their client, and was unable to obtain these documents.

Previous Stories:
  House of representatives' committee starts examining anti-terrorism law   (2/13/2003)
  Al-Qaeda operatives case: court hears defense witnesses   (2/10/2003)
  Casablanca court carries on hearings of Al Qaeda operatives suspects   (2/7/2003)
  German man arrested in Tangiers in possession of drugs   (12/7/1999)
  German ship rescued off Casablanca   (10/22/1999)

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