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
Libersl Judicial Tyranny. These scumbags infest every nation. What else do we expect?
But coming soon to a city near you...
Unbelievable. How much evidence do they need...maps, directions, bomb making materials, etc?
Just wait, this guy will find his way to America probably through the Mexican border.
Hey, easy there killer. Not every Euro is dumb or commie. There are those small numbers that fight for what is right.
on the bright side. After they let him go, he will surely lead them directly to all his fellow terrorists. They probably have a good idea who they are already, but just in case they don't.
Looks like there's some retreat in Dutch resolve... Or is it just the courts?
Don't give the SCOTUS any ideas.
"on the bright side. After they let him go, he will surely lead them directly to all his fellow terrorists. They probably have a good idea who they are already, but just in case they don't."
Thats a good point and one I was thinking of. I have a feeling they will have intelligence on him for quite a while. Really, in almost no western court can you go to jail on having maps and things to make explosives. You can use a lot of simple materials to make a bomb. They must of had a lack of credible evidence of his intentions such as a note from his senior cell leader commanding an attack or him telling a few people he was soon to die for islam by attacking a government building.
My in laws are from the Netherlands. There are still a lot of family members there. They are vehemently anti-American anti-Bush and idiotic. I no longer send Christmas cards to them. I don't think they learn lessons very well even though they seem to be a smart people.
Sort of like a gregarious bear or a kindly tinker.
I'm so annoyed they killed her off. She was great on that show.
"...police found detailed maps of Parliament, the Intelligence Service, Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and a nuclear reactor at his home."
OMG! They found a nuclear reactor at his home!
Translation: Dutch court issues written invitation for terrorism against national landmarks.
It looks like the Dutch have been modeling their justice system after California's.
i don't know why the Dutch don't just move out and hand the keys to their country to some Ayatolla (sp?). before long, it will be the Islamist Republic of the Netherlands.
The key to understanding is that the judge is the guy wearing the stripes.
I imagine the dutch will get a bang out of this story!
Definately played the part to the hilt. It was refreshing to read of her having opposite views in real life. I noticed the shade of the terrorists are starting to lighten a little the further in we go. Did you catch the lone FBI agent at the pilot's house? As if!
Kinda looks like Neil Young.
If the Dutch were smart they would arrange for this lad to fall on the street onto some bullets.
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.