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Marwan guilty
An Israeli court on Thursday convicted popular Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouti, a potential successor to Yasser Arafat, of involvement in attacks that killed five Israelis. Barghouti also was convicted of attempted murder for his role in an attempted car bombing at a Jerusalem mall and for belonging to a terror organization. "The five people who were killed in these attacks that he ordered will not return to life. The widows and orphans will not get their loved ones back. But at least justice was done," said David Saranga, a spokesman for Israel's foreign minister. But the court cleared Barghouti of charges related to other attacks in which 21 Israelis were killed, saying Barghouti "did not have direct control over the militants, but did wield influence." In general, militants did not inform Barghouti of their attack plans but briefed him afterward, the judges said.Barghouti, wearing a brown prison uniform, sat quietly as the verdict was read. During the 45-minute reading of the verdict, he occasionally blew kisses to supporters and even exchanged jokes with the head of the three-judge panel. Barghouti's sentencing is set for June 6. Prosecutors have asked the court to impose five consecutive life terms. Barghouti, who flashed V-for-victory signs with shackled hands as he entered the courtroom, denounced the ruling, saying he does not accept the court's authority. In a statement issued Wednesday, Barghouti said the court was "a tool used by the Israeli security to keep committing crimes against the Palestinian people and to give legitimacy to these crimes." He also pledged to continue the uprising. "All the practices committed by the Israelis against me will not break my will," the statement said.
Posted by: Fred 2004-05-20 |
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| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=33485 |