Islamic cleric admits admiraton of Bin Laden at US trial

In what seemed to be a very damaging admission, a Muslim cleric currently on trial in the US for his alleged support of the terrorist group al-Qaeda network has told the jury that he admired Osama bin Laden, Bloomberg reported. This and his other statement, which have him blaming the US government for the destruction of the World Trade Center in the September 11, 2001 attacks were the rousing claims Abu Hamza al-Masri said while on the stand.

At the Manhattan court today, Assistant US Attorney John Cronan had asked Abu Hamza to expound his earlier statements in media interviews, recorded speeches and sermons. At one point, Cronan asked Abu Hamza about a statement he made in a television interview that he endorsed the notorious terrorist group leader, and even exclaimed his love for his achievements after 1993.

Quoting Abu Hamza, Cronan said, "'Sheikh bin Laden is not a normal person, he's an example for all mujahedeen, for his past experience, goals and achievements'. Did you say that?"

Abu Hamza said, pertaining to bin Laden's supposed good heart, "I did. I have to give him credit. Yes, I said that before I criticized him. Everyone has good in him and everyone has a little bad in him."

The 56 year-old is currently charged with 11 counts of terrorism-related charges, including providing material support to the al-Qaeda, attempting to establish a training camp for terrorist in Oregon and for his aid in the 1998 kidnapping US nationals in Yemen, who were tourists at that time. Bloomberg said Abu Hamza could face a lifetime in prison for the most serious of charges.

When he was asked about his statement that the US government was the one who bombed the World Trade Center buildings, he confirmed that he did believe that US was the one to blame and had used that event as a pretext for war.

"I commented about the collapse of the buildings. I said those are explosions, they have to be investigated. I talk to you as an engineer," he told Cronan.

Tags

Abu Hamza al-Masri, Abu Hamza al-Masri terrorism trial, al-Qaida, Osama Bin Laden

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