US and France Disagree on Terror Suspect

A transatlantic row could develop following France’s decision to limit participation in the US trial of a suspected terrorist because he faces the death penalty.

United States Attorney General announced on Thursday that he would seek the death penalty against French citizen and Moroccan native Zacarias Moussaoui. Prosecutors believe Moussaoui, 33, was supposed to be the 20th hijacker in the Sept. 11 attacks had he not been locked up in a Minnesota jail on visa violations.

French Justice Minister Marylise Lebranchu, whose country banned the death penalty 20 years ago, said she regretted Ashcroft’s decision but remained supportive of the United States and their fight against terror.

Still, Lebranchu said that "under no circumstances shall we transmit a piece of evidence if it could be used to back up a death sentence.

"We shall be careful about the way we implement this cooperation," she told a news conference.

She said that, at the time, France had yet to hand over "a single document."

Legal experts said it appeared to be the first time prosecutors sought the death penalty on a suspect facing conspiracy charges. The prosecutors must prove in court that he fulfills one of four conditions under the US death penalty sentencing guide. Ashcroft’s office said they are able to fulfill two of them.

Ashcroft said there were many reasons to seek death.

"Among these reasons is the impact of the crime on thousands of victims," he said in a press conference.

The hard-line attorney general said he understood France’s concerns, US citizens, through their legislators, had chosen to put a person to death if the case fulfilled certain conditions.

"We ask out counterparts in the international community to respect our sovereignty, and we respect theirs," he said.

French human rights advocates have urged their government to do more than just limit cooperation. France’s Human Rights League and Magistrates’ Union said the country should stop cooperation alltogether.

Moussaoui's French lawyer, Francois Roux, told Reuters that he condemmend the US move.

"The defense will fight to the end to avoid this barbaric punishment, which has no place in a great democratic nation," he said.