The Hill: Trying terrorist in civilian court is the right move
Op-ed by Don Borelli.
Since 9/11, federal courts in the United States have handled hundreds of complex cases related to international terrorism. At least 67 of those cases have involved terrorism suspects apprehended abroad, often in difficult circumstances. In fact, federal courts have already convicted several of al Libi’s associates for their involvement in the 1998 East Africa embassy bombings—the very crimes that al Libi is accused of. Today, they are serving life sentences in a federal prison.
The vast majority of international terrorism cases handled in federal courts have resulted in convictions, because under federal law it is a crime to have any substantial operational connection to a terrorist organization. Providing material support for terrorism, or conspiring to commit terrorist acts, for example, can result in lengthy sentences or life in prison.
