Posted on 06/22/2007 10:30:36 AM PDT by Republicain
PARIS, June 19, 2007 (AFP) - French prosecutors on Tuesday sought sentences of up to 10 years in jail for eight men accused of helping the perpetrators of bomb attacks in Morocco in 2003 that left 45 dead.
The eight men -- a Turkish national and seven Moroccans or French nationals of Moroccan origin -- went on trial on June 4 on charges of criminal conspiracy in relation with a terrorist undertaking.
Prosecutors argued that the eight were members of a cell with ties to the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group (GICM), which is believed to be linked to Al-Qaeda.
Alleged ringleader Mustapha Baouchi, a 32-year-old Moroccan national, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years, with prosecutor Mathieu Debatisse describing him as a dangerous individual who exercised "real authority" over members of the group.
Baouchi is said to have close ties with Nourredine Nafia, alias Abou Mouad, the commander of GICM who was jailed in Morocco for the bombings that rocked Casablanca on May 16, 2003, killing 45 people including 12 suicide bombers.
Four Spaniards, three French nationals and an Italian were among the victims.
A verdict is expected on Wednesday.
The eight men were arrested in a Paris suburb in 2004 on suspicion of being members of the French cell of GICM, which is suspected of involvement in the 2004 Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people.
Eight-year sentences were sought for two other defendants, while a 30-year-old man whose task was to provide forged documents faced seven years in jail.
Prosecutors sought six years for three other men who allegedly were involved in the financing of the terrorist network, while a 32-year-old man who was said to have a minor role in the group faced six months in jail.
Investigators had said that some of the defendants ran a grocery store in a Paris suburb that helped bankroll part of the group's activities.
Some of the eight men on trial underwent training in camps in Afghanistan.
45 dead. 10 years per terrorist helper. Yeah, sounds about right. /s
Upon hearing their sentences, the defendants chuckled.
About 81.11 days per death. ((365X10)/45)
And that was the MAXIMUM sentence possible for the ringleader.
yeah - that sends a tough message to terrorists around the world. I'm sure Osama (or his surviving thugs) are quaking in their sandals as I type this. Those scary and vicious French...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.