Bin Laden’s Son-in-Law Is Convicted in Terror Trial

[iandhr]

Source: NY TIMES

Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, the most senior adviser to Osama bin Laden to be tried in a civilian United States court since the Sept. 11 attacks, was convicted on Wednesday of conspiring to kill Americans and providing material support to terrorists.

Mr. Abu Ghaith, a 48-year-old Kuwaiti-born cleric known for his fiery oratory, had recorded impassioned speeches for Bin Laden after Sept. 11, in which he praised the attacks and promised that future attacks would be carried out.

The defendant unexpectedly took the witness stand last week, offering a vivid account of being summoned by Bin Laden on the night of the attacks to meet with him in his cave in the Afghan mountains.

“He said, ‘Come in, sit down.’ He said, ‘Did you learn about what happened?' ” Mr. Abu Ghaith recalled the Qaeda leader telling him.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/27/nyregion/bin-ladens-son-in-law-is-convicted-in-terror-trial.html?_r=0

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This is a death blow to the far right. It shows quite clearly that our civilian justice system is more than capable of ensuring terrorists will never see the light of day again.

[leftynyc]

1. Good news

and you're right. Most people (even NYers) didn't even know there was a trial going on. I'll be a bit more cautious for the next week or so but other than that, this will be forgotten as will this cretin.

[iandhr]

3. I didn't know and I am a New Yorker as well.

I just saw the breaking news banner on the NY TIMES website.

[cosmicone]

2. In a vast majority of terrorist cases, civilian justice is the way to go

however, there are several where military tribunals are necessary.

[Demeter]

4. So other than shooting his mouth off, (First Amendment, folks)

did this man provide any material support? They convicted him for it, but don't specify what support that was...

I truly cringe at prosecuting thought crimes, whether US citizen or even worse, not US citizen.

With the Nuremberg trials, you had real evidence of real atrocities. No straining at gnats needed.

[msanthrope]

5. Actually, you don't have a First Amendment right to conspire to kill Americans

or to recruit for al Qaeda, or to produce video for recruitment for Al Qaeda....seriously....you really don't have a First Amendment right to be a member of Al Qaeda.

Now..if you think that conspiring with Richard Reid is not cause for conviction, then I cannot help you.

At Nuremburg, even the Nazis who claimed that they were not directly involved in killing... the propagandists... we're tried and sentenced.

[NYC Liberal]

7. There is plenty of speech/expression that is illegal or restricted.

Threats. Libel and slander. Advocating the violent overthrow of the government. Fighting words. Commercial speech. And copyrighted text is also an exception.

[Demeter]

10. None of which apply to this man or this case

It's silly to claim otherwise. American justice is made a mockery by this ruling.

[NYC Liberal]

11. Providing material support to terrorists is not

a first amendment issue.

American justice is strengthened immensely by this ruling.

[Demeter]

13. This man was kidnapped from Jordan; he is not a US citizen

Nor is he a member of any army or nation at war with us.

But he is now another martyr for Islam and the many peoples of many lands in the other hemisphere that the US and its puppets and allies oppress on a daily basis.

[okaawhatever]

9. It said in the story he was guilty of conspiring to kill Americans, conspiracy to kill doesn't have

anything to do with free speech. From article"

Mr. Abu Ghaith was convicted of conspiracy to kill Americans, for which he could face life in prison; and providing material support to terrorists, as well as conspiring to do so, counts that each carry maximum terms of 15 years.

[okaawhatever]

12. Updated info. He plotted to blow up a transatlantic flight. I know he worked with Richard Reid at

some point so I don't know if that was the specific instance or if there was another one.

[alp227]

6. BUT HE'S BETTER OFF INDEFINITELY DETAINED IN GITMO! NO RIGHTS FOR TERRARISTS!

say brainless right wingers.

[freshwest]

14. Brainless, sadistic, greedy, bigoted, hate-filled right wingers... n/t

[Tx4obama]

8. Kick. n/t