- (AFP) - French national Zacarias Moussaoui who faces
the death penalty for his alleged involvement in the September 11 attacks,
dismissed his lawyers and said he prayed for the destruction of the United
States.
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- "These lawyers are not any more my lawyers,"
he stated in English as he was brought before the US District Court in
Alexandria, Virginia.
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- "I pray for the destruction of the United States
of America," he added.
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- Moussaoui is the first person to be charged in the United
States in connection with the multiple suicide attacks that killed some
3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
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- Investigators believe Moussaoui was the missing 20th
hijacker in those attacks.
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- The 33-year-old Frenchman has been charged with six counts
of conspiracy, including conspiracy to destroy aircraft, use weapons of
mass destruction and murder US employees. His trial is to open October
14 in Alexandria.
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- Last week, his lawyers had asked for improved conditions
in the jail where Moussaoui is being held, including access to computer
equipment so he can prepare for his upcoming trial.
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- The attorneys said Moussaoui was being held under "overly
restrictive and oppressive" conditions which "create an insurmountable
impediment" to him.
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