NewsMine — 9-11 — suspects — moussaoui — government-case-failure-2002-2003 — Viewing Item

Defies court ruling { July 15 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3066727.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3066727.stm Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 July, 2003, 09:28 GMT 10:28 UK US defies Moussaoui court ruling The United States Government says it will not let a man charged in connection with the 11 September attacks question an alleged al-Qaeda leader. This is despite a court ruling allowing the interview. Defendent Zacarias Moussaoui, who is acting as his own attorney, argues that allowing him to interview al-Qaeda suspect Ramzi Binalshibh is crucial to proving his own innocence. The Virginia judge handling the case agreed to the interview in principle but the prosecution is contesting her decision on the grounds of protecting the "nation's security at a time of war". The judge concluded that a satellite link-up interview, to be played during a trial, could shed light on Mr Moussaoui's contention that he was not part of the 11 September conspiracy. But on Monday federal prosecutors reaffirmed that they will not produce Mr Binalshibh for questioning under any circumstances. They acknowledge that this may lead to the case being dismissed. US Attorney Paul McNulty said the interview with Mr Binalshibh would "necessarily result in the unauthorised disclosure of classified information". "Such a scenario is unacceptable to the government, which not only carries the responsibility of prosecuting the defendant, but also of protecting this nation's security at a time of war with an enemy who has already murdered thousands of our citizens." The prosecutors also asked the judge to postpone any action pending a ruling by a higher court on their appeal. It is thought that if the government is forced to allow Mr Moussaoui access to Mr Binalshibh, it may decide to drop the criminal charges and try him before a military tribunal. Suspicious Mr Moussaoui, a French national of Moroccan origin, is the only person in America charged in connection with attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001. The indictment charges that - like the hijackers - he was an al-Qaeda loyalist who had bought flight manuals and cockpit videos. He is alleged to have received funds from Ramzi Binalshibh, an alleged al-Qaeda operative in Germany who is also believed to have funded the hijackers. Prosecutors say Mr Moussaoui would have been the 20th hijacker, had he not been arrested in August 2001 - when the flying lessons he was taking in Minnesota aroused suspicion. Mr Moussaoui admits to being a member of al-Qaeda, but denies being part of the 11 September attacks. If found guilty he could face the death penalty. Mr Binalshibh was himself captured last September in Pakistan, and is being held at a secret location. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/3066727.stm Published: 2003/07/15 09:28:01 GMT © BBC MMIII

911 evidence barred from moussaoui trial Backs off guilty { July 26 2002 } Business card in wreckage { September 25 2002 } Call for case dismiss sealed Covert operation Defies court ruling { July 15 2003 } Demands email { August 28 2002 } Hidden evidence { June 12 2002 } Internal doubts Judge delays trial { September 30 2002 } Lawyers faulted { September 25 2002 } Mousaoui case crumbled Mousaoui oklahoma flight school Moussaoui case raises questions Moussaoui coverup Moussaoui denies 911 role Moussaoui no plea { June 26 2002 } Moussaoui not involved says fbi { September 11 2001 } Moussaoui tracked { July 8 2002 } Moussaui wants torture ashcroft { February 26 2003 } Moussauoi linked plot { November 20 2002 } Pleads guilty { July 18 2002 } Pre 911 alarm { September 24 2002 } Prosecutors favor dropping moussaoui case { September 26 2003 } Refuse moussauoi binalshibh { November 20 2002 } Secret trial moussaoui Trial postponed again { February 13 2003 } Us says moussaoui targets whitehouse Us will drop charges for appeal Window mind moussaoui { July 25 2002 } Files Listed: 30

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