Posted on 01/15/2004 6:49:11 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Germany (AP) - Lawyers for the second Sept. 11 suspect to go on trial argued Thursday that the Moroccan was unaware of the plot by hijack ringleader Mohamed Atta. Abdelghani Mzoudi, charged with more than 3,000 counts of accessory to murder and membership in a terrorist organization, knew al-Qaida cell members but was not part of the plan to attack the United States, lawyer Guel Pinar told the Hamburg state court during closing arguments. "Abdelghani Mzoudi belonged to the group of students around Mohamed Atta. He spent time in Afghanistan. The evidence shows that - but no more than that," Pinar argued. Prosecutors last week sought the maximum 15 years in prison for Mzoudi, 31, arguing evidence showed he assisted the Sept. 11 plotters. The judge said a ruling in the case would be issued on Jan. 22. Mzoudi was freed from custody Dec. 11 after Ramzi Binalshibh, an al-Qaida suspect in U.S. custody, reportedly said that only he and Atta, Marwan al-Shehhi and Ziad Jarrah knew of the plot. Mzoudi turned down a court offer to make a final statement Thursday. He has not testified in his own defense. Last February, Mzoudi's friend and fellow Moroccan Mounir el Motassadeq became the first person to be convicted for involvement in the Sept. 11 plot. A Hamburg court sentenced him to the maximum 15 years in prison. A federal court is to hear his appeal Jan. 29.
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