U.S. to try 9/11 suspects close to Ground Zero

The Obama administration’s decision to try the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks in New York has divided public and political opinion in the United States. Republicans believe bringing Kahlid Sheikh Mohammed and his four co-accused from Guantanamo into the heart of the city, poses a security risk. U.S. to try 9/11 suspects close to Ground Zero While human rights groups, legal scholars and Democrats claim the decision may help repair America’s image tarnished by rendition, Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder made the announcement: “ They will be brought to New York to answer for their alleged crimes in a courthouse just blocks away from where the Twin Towers once stood. I am confident in the ability of our courts to provide these defendants a fair trial.” Charles Wolf, lost his wife in the 9/11 attacks: “You want to give them the same kind of constitutional protections as the guy who’s arrested here on Bleaker Street for dealing drugs? You want to give them that? I don’t think so.” Another New Yorker, Sal Bordonaro, said: “ Well that’s where he belongs. That’s where the tragedy took place, and that’s where he should be tried.” The decision to go to trial at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan rejects the Bush administration’s policy, under which those held at Guantanamo were to be tried by military tribunals.

U.S. to try 9/11 suspects close to Ground Zero

While human rights groups, legal scholars and Democrats claim the decision may help repair America’s image tarnished by rendition, Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder made the announcement:

“ They will be brought to New York to answer for their alleged crimes in a courthouse just blocks away from where the Twin Towers once stood. I am confident in the ability of our courts to provide these defendants a fair trial.”

Charles Wolf, lost his wife in the 9/11 attacks:

“You want to give them the same kind of constitutional protections as the guy who’s arrested here on Bleaker Street for dealing drugs? You want to give them that? I don’t think so.”

Another New Yorker, Sal Bordonaro, said:

“ Well that’s where he belongs. That’s where the tragedy took place, and that’s where he should be tried.”

The decision to go to trial at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan rejects the Bush administration’s policy, under which those held at Guantanamo were to be tried by military tribunals.