Posted on 04/06/2005 7:00:40 AM PDT by dead
A Dutch court has acquitted teenager Samir Azzouz of plotting terrorist attacks against Dutch landmarks and ordered his release.
The 18-year-old was sentenced to three months for illegal possession of firearms, but will be released because he has already been in detention for 10 months.
Upon hearing the decision, Azzouz, who was dressed in white Islamic garb, looked over his shoulder and smiled at his defence lawyer and at his wife sitting in the public gallery.
Azzouz had been in custody since June 2004, when police found detailed maps of Parliament, the Intelligence Service, Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and a nuclear reactor at his home.
At his trial last month, prosecutors called on the three-judge bench to sentence him to seven years' imprisonment and revoke his voting rights for 12 years.
Prosecutors alleged that Azzouz was a Muslim extremist prepared to die for the cause of fundamentalist Islam. A nationwide terror alert, which lasted for several weeks, was put in place after police found the maps, apparent bomb-making supplies and notes on how to attack buildings.
Investigators also found a pellet gun, ammunition clips and a silencer for automatic weapons, night vision goggles and a bulletproof vest at Azzouz's home. A written statement, determined by experts to be in Azzouz's handwriting, expressed hope that his infant daughter would join the extremist Islamic struggle.
Lead prosecutor Roger Lambrichts said Azzouz, who comes from a Moroccan family, associated with members of a terrorist group known as the Hofstad Network, together with a man accused of killing Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh in November.
Azzouz's defence lawyer Victor Koppe said the material found at his client's home could in no way have been used to cause an explosion and that the evidence against him was weak.
© 2005 AP
When asked to comment, jury foreman Mohammed Ali Hassan said,"He's just a boy. Besides, his is a religion of peace. I persuaded the jury that he was not guilty, or else I would kill them all."
"Upon hearing the decision, Azzouz, who was dressed in white Islamic garb, looked over his shoulder and smiled at his defence lawyer and at his wife sitting in the public gallery."
No doubt. :P
since he's a teen, he can't be guilty.
Idiots.
I guess the Dutch are going to have to learn the hard way. After Theo van Gogh this is surprising.
Sheesh.
They must be nuts.
sigh.....dumb europeans
And soon playing at a court near you!
This was a bench trial before three judges.
I'm not sure whether juries are even permitted under Dutch law.
Even if he had been convicted he would have only spent a few years in a comfy Dutch prison that is more like a secure two-star hotel than a prison.
Ah, more of the infinite wisdom of judges, such as what we saw with Terri Schiavo. \dripping sarcasm off
He's never going to be an old terrorist.
Kids like to collect things. Back in the day it wasn't uncommon to see a kid with 10 or 12 pounds of dynamite under his bed. Just like baseball cards really.
Worldwide PC, out of control judiciary ping.
vaudine
when told of this verdict, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Dimsburg started jumping up and down and singing "We are the World" and asked her clerk how she would look in a berka.
The 18-year-old was sentenced to three months for illegal possession of firearms, but will be released because he has already been in detention for 10 months.
Upon hearing the decision, Azzouz, who was dressed in white Islamic garb, looked over his shoulder and smiled at his defence lawyer and at his wife sitting in the public gallery.
Azzouz had been in custody since June 2004, when police found detailed maps of Parliament, the Intelligence Service, Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and a nuclear reactor at his home.
Well, I'm glad that the Dutch are finally taking the threat of terrorism seriously ;-(
Don't be so hard on 'em. At least they're catchin' 'em.
They just appear to have a little trouble with their judges, too.
Would identifying this lad in every way possible, fingerprints, DNA, eye "prints" and then deporting him have been too much imagination to expect of this purblind judge?
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.