Accused Apologizes in Frankfurt Terrorism Trial

One of four suspects in a German terror trial told a Frankfurt court on Thursday that he was sorry for planning a bomb attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg, France in late 2000 and was willing to serve 10 years in prison.

“I’m very happy that no blood was shed,” defendant Aeurobui Beandali told the judges of Frankfurt's higher regional court.

Beandali, Lamine Maroni, Fouhad Sabour and Salim Boukhari could face 10 to 12 years in German prison if convicted on charges of conspiring to commit murder. Police arrested the four Algerians on Dec. 26, 2001, in Frankfurt after hearing of the planned attack from a foreign intelligence service.

Prosecutors say the Algerians used pseudonyms and forged credit cards as they traveled through Germany, buying components for constructing a self-made explosive. They were motivated by their Islamic fundamentalist beliefs, according to the federal prosecutor overseeing the case. On Thursday, lawyers for three of the men laid out their defense.

With the exception of Maroni, all of the men have confessed to preparing to bomb the Christmas market. A verdict is expected on March 10.

Admission of guilt

In a departure from earlier statements, Beandali -- considered by prosecutors to be the group's explosives expert -- agreed to the version of events outlined by the prosecution and to the 10-year sentence it demanded for him.

"I admit what I am accused of and wish to apologize for it again," he said.

Beandali’s attorney said that his client believed that the explosives were meant to be detonated at night outside of a synagogue in Strasbourg and only suspected that the attack might take place elsewhere shortly before Christmas. Fouhad Sabour’s lawyer also told the court his client believed the bomb was intended for the synagogue, not the busy Christmas market.

Sealed lips

Defendant Maroni, however, has remained silent about the accusations against him throughout the 10-month trial. Before his court-appointed attorney addressed the chamber, Maroni said he did not want to be represented by him.

Frank Kloevekorn nevertheless addressed the court on Maroni's behalf, arguing that there was no conclusive proof his client was involved in constructing the bomb or that a notebook with instructions for making explosives belonged to him.

The trial will continue on Tuesday, when Salim Boukhari’s lawyer will present his defense.

All four men have admitted they engaged in military training in al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan. But no other links between them and the al Qaeda organization have been established.