Nizar Trabelsi found not guilty of plotting terror with Osama bin Laden

[discocrisco01]

Source: NBC News

In a rare and shocking development, an accused foreign
Islamic terrorist was found not guilty Friday by a jury in federal
court after a trial on charges he conspired with Osama bin Laden to
conduct a suicide bombing on Americans in Europe two decades ago, his
lawyer said.

Nizar Trabelsi, a former Tunisian professional soccer star, was
extradited to the United States in 2013 to face the charges. The
indictment alleged that he personally met in the spring of 2001 with
bin Laden to volunteer for a suicide bomb attack against U.S.
interests.

Preparations unfolded over the next several months, according to the
indictment, with Trabelsi allegedly obtaining chemicals in Europe and
subsequently joining others to scout a potential target: a military
facility that was used by the United States and the United States Air
Force.

According to the indictment, Trabelsi was living in Germany in 2000,
when he met with other conspirators and made preparations to travel to
Afghanistan to train for jihad.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/nizar-trabelsi-found-not-guilty-plotting-terror-osama-bin-laden-rcna94389

[Jacson6]

1. Shrug. He had a fair trial by a jury of his peers.

I don't see what the problem is.

[stopdiggin]

5. +1. -(nt)-

[marble falls]

2. Cut him loose.

[TomSlick]

3. An acquittal now and then proves the fairness of the system.

Juries really do take their oaths seriously - most times.

[stopdiggin]

4. this exactly.

I'm not sure what the jury saw here that was unpersuasive (perhaps slimy and untrustworthy informants? agents?). But - on the other hand, that's not my job either.

Oh - and please note the timeline. From 'plotting' to 'investigation', to extradition, to trial, to acquittal .... Please - no nattering about 'speedy trial' and 'justice delayed ..'

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. One reason this is so long after the alleged conspiracy is he served 10 years in Belgium

Trabelsi was convicted in Belgium in 2003 for planning to attack the Kleine-Brogel Air Base, where U.S. military staff are stationed. He served a 10-year sentence before Belgium extradited him to the U.S., despite the European Court of Human Rights ruling that he should not be sent across the Atlantic.

[stopdiggin]

7. I'll not argue that

but he was extradited in 2013 - 10 years ago. That's a bit of time for everybody to get their 'ducks in a row.'

(and then apparently - still not quite lined up in a row .. )

But - satisfied that due process was served - and now we move on ...