Carlos the Jackal Back in French Court

[tocqueville]

Tue Feb 28, 10:39 PM ET

PARIS - The convicted terrorist Carlos the Jackal was back in court Tuesday for allegedly saying in a TV interview that victims of terrorism are never innocent.

The 56-year-old Venezuelan, whose real name is Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, is charged with defending terrorism, which is against the law in France.

Prosecutor Laurent Zuchowicz asked that the court fine Ramirez $24,000 for his stance in favor of terrorism in the March 2004 interview carried on the M6 TV station. The decision was deferred to a later date.

The French Justice Ministry had pressed the complaint against Ramirez for a portion of the interview in which Ramirez said there were no innocent victims of terrorism. He expressed pleasure that "the Great Satan" was hit in the al-Qaida attacks, allegedly suggesting the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States were deserved.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060301/ap_on_re_eu/france_carlos_trial