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The trial of the 9/11 plotters on the American soil is dividing the metropolitan city of New York. |
CAIRO – The referral of the alleged 9/11 attacks plotters to be tried in a court near where the World Trade Towers once stood in New York is drawing mixed reactions in the metropolitan city.
“I welcome anything that would bring these terrorists to trial,” Sally Regenhard, whose son died in the attack, told The New York Times Saturday, November 14.
“After eight long years there has been no justice on this on any level, and we want these people brought to justice.”
US Attorney General Eric Holder announced Friday that five suspects, including the 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be prosecuted in a criminal court in New York.
“Let them come to New York,” said Jim Riches, a retired deputy chief of the New York Fire Department, whose son died in the attack.
“Let them get on trial. Let’s do it the right way, for all the world to see what they’re like. Let’s go.
“It’s been too long. Let’s get some justice,” he said.
At least 3,000 people were killed when terrorists rammed hijacked planes into the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon headquarters in September 11, 2001.
“New York is not afraid of terrorists,” Representative Jerrold Nadler said in a statement.
“We want to confront them, we want to bring them to justice and we want to hold them accountable for their despicable actions.”
Unfair
But many New Yorkers blasted the referral, saying it would grant the suspects undeserved rights of American citizens.
“I fear trying them in our country,” said Mike Low, who lost a daughter in the attacks.
“The defense will have so many tools. They’ll make a circus out of it and just play it to the hilt.”
Other families of the victims stoutly rejected the idea of attending the trial at their land.
“It’s totally unfair,” said Margit Arias-Kastell, who lost her husband in the attacks.
“Why do we have to constantly relive this? They should be hung.”
The trials would be the first for 9/11 suspects on American soil.
Ten detainees already face charges before the military commissions, which Obama halted when he came to power.
Three prisoners have been convicted before military commissions, but the tribunals have been widely condemned for limiting defendants' rights and attracted criticism from the US Supreme Court in a 2006 ruling that forced an overhaul of the process.
"They should hang these guys from one of the cranes in Ground Zero," Jim, a 49-year-old carpenter, said.
"Everyone would come down to watch."
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