FBI agent suspected Moussaoui
2006-03-20 22:06
Matthew Barakat
Alexandria - A federal bureau odf intelligence agent testified on Monday that his superiors repeatedly ignored his warnings before 9/11 that Zacarias Moussaoui might be a terrorist intent on hijacking an airliner.
Harry Samit, questioned by defence attorney Edward MacMahon in Moussaoui's death-penalty trial, said he referred to Moussaoui in the context of terrorism about 70 times in communications with superiors after arresting him on August
16 2001, but failed to get the FBI to conduct an all-out investigation.
Moussaoui pleaded guilty in April to conspiring with al-Qaeda to hijack aircraft and commit other crimes.
The sentencing trial will determine his punishment - death or life in prison.
MacMahon walked Samit through a lengthy report that he filed to his bosses and other FBI investigative units on August 18 2001.
FBI never called him back
The memo listed all the reasons Samit was suspicious of Moussaoui as a terrorist who might be trying to hijack aircraft.
Every time MacMahon read an example of Samit's suspicions, the agent acknowledged that FBI headquarters never called him back to discuss his concerns.
He confirmed under questioning that he had attributed FBI inaction to "obstructionism, criminal negligence and careerism" in an earlier report.
To obtain the death penalty, prosecutors must prove that Moussaoui caused at least one death on 9/11.
They argue he did just that by lying to agents after his arrest and refusing to reveal his al-Qaeda membership and his terrorist ties.
Moussaoui denies he had anything to do with 9/11 and says he was training for a future attack.
- SAPA