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CNN Live Today
In New York, Six Suspected Members of Terror Cell Could Go Free
Aired September 19, 2002 - 12:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In western New York, six suspected members of what authorities call a terror cell soon could go free. Their attorneys are arguing for bail.
For the latest on that hearing, let's bring in CNN's Jeff Flock, who is in Buffalo -- Jeff.
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Kyra, going to start arguing in about a hour and a half. We just obtained a copy of the motions that they will file today, this is sort of some indication of what they plan to argue. As we talk about, I want to show you the latest pictures. This is the arrival of the six men, the six defendants, once again arriving here at the federal courthouse in Buffalo, New York with a police escort, as well as traveling in a white government van which was driven inside directly, no off loading onto the street.
Now, onto the proceedings of yesterday. What they will argue today, what the defendants' attorneys will argue today is that the government didn't make its case. I am reading specifically now from their motion. Specifically nowhere is it alleged that any of the defendants provided Al Qaeda with currency, monetary instruments, financial security, safe houses, false documentation identification, communication, et cetera, et cetera.
In other words, they are arguing the government didn't make its case. What they're charging these men with is providing material support to Al Qaeda. They say that the government did not make its case, so we ought to move on.
As to the six men, perhaps we can show you their pictures once again, all of them had family members in the court yesterday. All of them had specific representation. We talked to many of their attorneys after having seen what the government presented yesterday. William Clauss is one of them. Here is what he had to say about the government's case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM CLAUSS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The government has to prove today that clear and convincing evidence that they are a danger to the community. We don't think they have done that. They have to prove that they're a risk of flight. We don't think they are.
(END VIDEO CLIP) FLOCK: That puts it fairly succinctly. Now will any of these people get bond. Well, I thin probably bond for Mr. Al-Bakri, the man who they brought back from overseas, who sent this e-mail that perhaps you heard reported, Kyra, this one that sort of refers to a meal, and people not being able to bear it, which even Mr. Al-Bakri admits referred to perhaps a terrorist act, an explosion. It's probably difficult to see him getting bond, but then there is that other man who apparently left the terrorism training camp after only a week or so to come home. Does he miss the country, miss the U.S., miss is homeland?
It is conceivable certainly to think that perhaps he could. It will be interesting to see, again, how the arguments play out and what the judge thinks.
That's the latest, Kyra, back to you.
FLOCK: All right, Jeff Flock, thank you.
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Aired September 19, 2002 - 12:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In western New York, six suspected members of what authorities call a terror cell soon could go free. Their attorneys are arguing for bail.
For the latest on that hearing, let's bring in CNN's Jeff Flock, who is in Buffalo -- Jeff.
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Kyra, going to start arguing in about a hour and a half. We just obtained a copy of the motions that they will file today, this is sort of some indication of what they plan to argue. As we talk about, I want to show you the latest pictures. This is the arrival of the six men, the six defendants, once again arriving here at the federal courthouse in Buffalo, New York with a police escort, as well as traveling in a white government van which was driven inside directly, no off loading onto the street.
Now, onto the proceedings of yesterday. What they will argue today, what the defendants' attorneys will argue today is that the government didn't make its case. I am reading specifically now from their motion. Specifically nowhere is it alleged that any of the defendants provided Al Qaeda with currency, monetary instruments, financial security, safe houses, false documentation identification, communication, et cetera, et cetera.
In other words, they are arguing the government didn't make its case. What they're charging these men with is providing material support to Al Qaeda. They say that the government did not make its case, so we ought to move on.
As to the six men, perhaps we can show you their pictures once again, all of them had family members in the court yesterday. All of them had specific representation. We talked to many of their attorneys after having seen what the government presented yesterday. William Clauss is one of them. Here is what he had to say about the government's case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM CLAUSS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The government has to prove today that clear and convincing evidence that they are a danger to the community. We don't think they have done that. They have to prove that they're a risk of flight. We don't think they are.
(END VIDEO CLIP) FLOCK: That puts it fairly succinctly. Now will any of these people get bond. Well, I thin probably bond for Mr. Al-Bakri, the man who they brought back from overseas, who sent this e-mail that perhaps you heard reported, Kyra, this one that sort of refers to a meal, and people not being able to bear it, which even Mr. Al-Bakri admits referred to perhaps a terrorist act, an explosion. It's probably difficult to see him getting bond, but then there is that other man who apparently left the terrorism training camp after only a week or so to come home. Does he miss the country, miss the U.S., miss is homeland?
It is conceivable certainly to think that perhaps he could. It will be interesting to see, again, how the arguments play out and what the judge thinks.
That's the latest, Kyra, back to you.
FLOCK: All right, Jeff Flock, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
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