Gary Fitleberg, November 16, 2003

Zacarias Moussaoui is taking advantage of the protections of a society that promotes democracy and freedom, especially a right to represent oneself in a "fair and speedy trial"!!! One who holds contempt for these values has utilized them to his advantage.

The suspected 20th hijacker, Zacarias Moussaoui might possibly be held in contempt of court for sending U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema handwritten messages of both "overt" and "veiled" threats against public officials and foreign governments. Judge Brinkema reported that she had received more than 20 writings from the suspected terrorist since October 27th. Moussaoui also violates his right to represent himself by pretending the messages were legal briefs.

Brinkema declared Moussaoui’s messages to be "frivolous, scandalous, disrespectful or repetitive pleadings" that did not belong in the court’s file. She added, "They include veiled, and in some cases overt, threats to public officials, attacks on foreign governments, attempts to communicate with persons overseas and efforts to obtain materials unrelated to this case."

The case is being heard in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia and was filed with the U.S. 4th Circuit Court in Richmond, Virginia.

Moussaoui was arrested on immigration charges a month before the September 11 attacks and was later indicted as a suspected participant in the plot. Although prosecutors have maintained that they do not officially consider him the so-called 20th hijacker, they portray him as a key player in the September 11 strikes or a second terror attack soon to follow.

Senior Al Qaeda leaders reportedly have told the government that Moussaoui was to have been part of a second wave of attacks -- a position Moussaoui has admitted in his written messages as true.

Moussaoui praises Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden as "My Commander in Chief." He refers to himself as a "Slave of Allah and "the United States as "United Satans" while routinely castigating defense attorneys, prosecutors and even the judge.

Born to Lie. Born to Cheat. Born to Kill. These are a few messages to he has sent to the judge. But perhaps these messages might possibly be meant for himself instead.

Moussaoui has gone so far as to challenge President Bush to a fistfight. He has even offered Attorney General John Ashcroft a front-row seat at his execution. "Only joking, it is not going to happen," Moussaoui believes confidently and defiantly. Adding insult to injury, he has requested a first class seat on a jetliner leaving the U.S. as long as there are no women aboard and the plane does not permit liquor or smoking.

Hopefully, there will also be no box cutters on board either!!! Moussaoui deserves a one-way ticket. Straight to the electric chair!!!

In many of his filings Moussaoui has had the audacity to insist he should be allowed to meet with Al Qaeda leaders now being held that he says will show he had no role in the September 11 conspiracy.

Judge Brinkema has agreed he should be granted access to the captives to defend himself. The U.S. government refuses to accommodate the request of the Judge and she has thrown out the death penalty and any reference to the September 11 plot in this case.

No wonder Moussaoui is so arrogant. He’s getting away with murder.

The government is appealing the ruling.

In one message in January, Moussaoui proudly wrote that the captives were crucial to establish the existence of a completely different conspiracy that ‘might not’ even take place against the U.S. "After all my favorite target are the Jews."

Moussaoui has made several "incriminating admissions" in open court according to prosecutors in legal papers filed with the court. In July 2002, they said he "boasted" that "I participated in Al Qaeda. I am a member of Al Qaeda...I pledge bayat [allegiance] to Osama bin Laden." Another time, they said, he admitted, "I have certain knowledge about September 11, and I know exactly who done it. I know which group participated, when it was decided. I have many information."

Prosecutors also cited this statement: "I, Zacarias Moussaoui, urge, incite, encourage, solicit Muslim to kill Americans, civilian or military, any where around the world...Kill American, anywhere, anyhow, anytime until they get the point out of the Holy Land."

Judge Brinkema noted that if the appellate court reinstated the death penalty against Moussaoui, the trial should begin no sooner than 180 days after the decision. If the appellate court does not reinstate the penalty, proceedings should begin within 90 days.

One wonders if Zacharias Moussaoui could and would take such liberties in any of the Arab/Islamist nations if he were being tried for crimes.

We hope for a "fair and speedy trial" and swift justice in the case of Zacarias Moussaoui -- a public execution so his conspirators may watch him in his last moments as he will surely die.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2003 Gary Fitleberg