DATE=7/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235060
TITLE=BOMB PLOT TRIAL OPENS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ELAINE JOHANSON
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  TWO PALESTINIANS ACCUSED OF PLOTTING TO BOMB THE NEW YORK
CITY SUBWAY WENT ON TRIAL TODAY (MONDAY) IN A FEDERAL COURT IN 
BROOKLYN.  THE TWO MEN WERE ARRESTED LAST JULY AFTER ANOTHER MAN 
-- A RECENT IMMIGRANT FROM EGYPT -- CALLED THE POLICE. V-O-A'S 
CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:  

TEXT:  GHAZI IBRAHIM ABU MAIZAR AND LAFI KHALIL ARE SAID TO HAVE 
NO APPARENT CONNECTIONS TO ANY KNOWN TERROR GROUP.  BUT U-S 
PROSECUTORS DESCRIBED THEM IN OPENING STATEMENTS AS TERRORISTS 
WHO SET OUT TO KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE AND WREAK MASS DESTRUCTION IN
NEW YORK.  INVESTIGATORS ARE QUOTED AS SAYING THE TWO MAY HAVE 
BEEN HOURS OR DAYS AWAY FROM THE ATTACK WHEN POLICE RAIDED THEIR 
APARTMENT AND FOUND A PIPE BOMB.

DEFENSE LAWYERS FOR THE TWO PALESTINIANS ADMIT THE DEFENDANTS ARE
IN A DIFFICULT POSITION.  THEY NOTE THE GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE 
FINGERPRINTS OF THE DEFENDANTS ON EXPLOSIVE-MAKING EQUIPMENT, 
D-N-A OR GENETIC TESTS, AND A LETTER THE DEFENDANTS WROTE 
DENOUNCING JEWS, AMERICANS AND THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS.  
BOTH MEN ARE FROM THE ISRAELI-OCCUPIED WEST BANK.

AT THE SAME TIME, DEFENSE LAWYERS SAY PROSECUTORS CAN NOT PROVE 
BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT MR. ABU MAIZAR AND MR. KHALIL 
INTENDED TO USE THE BOMB.

THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRST WITNESS IS THE MAN WHO LIVED IN THE 
APARTMENT WITH THE DEFENDANTS AND REPORTED THE ALLEGED BOMB PLOT 
TO THE POLICE.

IF CONVICTED THE TWO PALESTINIANS COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON.  THE
TRIAL IS EXPECTED TO LAST ABOUT ONE MONTH.

ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS IS ALLEGED TO HAVE ADMITTED AT THE TIME OF 
HIS ARREST TO INVOLVEMENT IN ALL SORTS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITES IN 
NEW YORK -- INCLUDING CREDIT CARD SCAMS AND DRUG-DEALING.  BUT 
BOTH MEN HAVE PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THE BOMB CONSPIRACY CHARGE. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/PT

 

06-Jul-98 3:38 PM EDT (1938 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.