Bomber 'sad and sorry'
2007-12-18 16:42
Beirut - Jihad Hamad, the German "suitcase bomber" sentenced on Tuesday to 12 years in jail by a court in Beirut, appeared "sad and sorry" when he learned about his sentence, according to his lawyer.
"I saw Jihad in his cell ... he was in a very bad condition when he learned he received 12 years," lawyer Fawaz Zakaria told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
"But my client was more worried about how his parents would receive the news and if they will be able to take it," he added.
The court had found Hamad guilty of attempted mass murder for a failed bomb attack on two trains in Germany in July 2006.
Hamad's co-conspirator, Youssef al-Hajj Dib, 23, was sentenced to death in absentia by the Beirut court, commuted to an effective 21 years. Three other suspects were freed.
Hajj Dib went on trial on Tuesday in the German city of Dusseldorf for his role in the failed bombing.
According to Zakaria, Hamad was hopeful of receiving a reduced sentence on appeal.
During their brief meeting on Tuesday, Zakaria said his client had repeated that he was "not a terrorist", and had been "brainwashed" when the act was committed.
He also said he had a "clear conscience" because no Germans were killed or injured in the attempted attack, Zakaria told dpa. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA