Who should get to try the bum?

“A little mental exercise here. I know that normal jurisdictional procedure in not relevant here, but I just was curious to see what people thought about who would have the right to try Abu Abbas, the commander of the Palestinian hijacking of the Achille Lauro in 1985. They were responsible for killing American passenger Leon Klinghoffer on that day. Klinghoffer was wheelchair bound and he was shot and thrown oevrboard. As you probably know, Abbas was hiding in Iraq and tried to sneak into Syria unsuccessfully last week. I'm not sure, but I believe he is in Italian custody now, but the U.S. wants him. My question is: Who do you think should prevail here, the Italians or the Americans? Personally, I think being that it was an Italian vessel and the act took place in the Mediterranean that it should stay in Italian hands, but that's simply what seems logical to me. Any other takes on it?”

“Viva Italia!”

“International waters. Try him in every venue.

I would say the answer will come from someone's analysis of where the death penalty is most likely to be imposed.”

“In the long run, it would be more politically expedient to let Italy deal with it. I think treebeard's analysis is on target.

The only negative I can see is that sooner or later Hamas might target the Italians, who might-could cave in an let the SOB go. If they can assure us that he'll stay locked up, let them have the headache. We have enough headaches to last into the next century.”

“There's enough of the s h i t to go around. Let Italy kill him and then let us run him through a wood chipper. It's a win/win deal.”

“Nevermind. I thought you were talking about Kissenger.”

“I believe at this time, the U.S. has custody of Abu Abbas, since U.S. forces captured him. I doubt seriously if he'll be turned over to Italy. He will be squeezed for information, then likely tried for his complicity in Leon Klinghoffer's murder in the jurisdiction most likely to result in a death sentence.”

“In 1993, the U.S. filed a criminal complaint against Abbas, but he was never indicted by a federal grand jury. This coincided with the Oslo Accords, signed by Israel and the PLO (witnessed by the U.S., Russia, Jordan, Egypt and the European Union, of which Italy is a part). The accords state that no member of the PLO can be tried or brought to court for any actions prior to 11/13/93. This may prove to be a legal stumbling block for the U.S. But, being that he was found guilty in absentia in Italy in 1986 and sentenced to five life terms would bolster the case for letting the Italians take care of it...”

“" believe at this time, the U.S. has custody of Abu Abbas, since U.S. forces captured him."

True Bit. Possesion is 9/10th of the law...or so Satan says.”

“I thought this might be a thread advocating experimentation with gay sex.



That is certainly NOT why I am here though!”

“Right, Nig. He is in an 'undisclosed' location.”

“I like bums :D Shake those bums boys!”

“CNN reporting that the U.S. has custody of Tariq Aziz.”