Although a high-ranking militant in the al Qaeda inner circle and son-in-law of Osama bin Laden who once wrote “we have the right to kill 4 million Americans, 1 million of them children,” Suleiman Abu Ghaith pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal courtroom on March 8, after being charged with conspiracy to kill Americans, according to Reuters and ABC News.
After leaving the safety of Iran for Turkey where the al Qaeda spokesman became “fair game”, U.S. officials captured Abu Ghaith and secretly flew him back to America on March 1.
Officials are also glad they took Abu Ghaith alive, as the man who married bin Laden’s daughter has agreed to be cooperative and has already shared valuable information regarding al Qaeda operations, personnel, and finances.
Today’s proceedings took place under heavy security in a courtroom just blocks away from the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Abu Ghaith was provided legal counsel appointed by the court who entered the not guilty plea on his behalf.
The prosecution has a wealth of evidence against him, including “videos, audio recordings and a 22-page transcript of remarks he has made to law enforcement.”
The indictment against Abu Ghaith accuses him of being part of the conspiracy that:
"… would and did murder United States nationals anywhere in the world," listing actions before and after September 11, 2001.
Suleiman Abu Ghaith will appear in court again on April 8 at which time a trial date will be set.
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