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Article: U.S. seeks death penalty for 1986 hijacking suspect; Pan Am jet was seized in Pakistan and 22 people were killed
- Article from:
- Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque)
- Article date:
- September 13, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2003 Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque). Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. government is trying to execute a
hijacker for the first time, seeking the death penalty for the leader
of a group of Palestinian terrorists who took over a Pan Am jet in
Pakistan in 1986 and killed 22 people.
Prosecutors are so intent on putting the Pakistani man to death -
for killing two Americans who were among the victims - that they
turned down his offer to plead guilty and serve a life sentence.
Zayd Hassan Abd Al-Latif Masud Al Safarini won the first round in
the legal battle, convincing U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan that
the death penalty does not apply in his case. Prosecutors have asked
Sullivan to reconsider. A hearing is expected this fall.
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