US criticised by prosecutor

A SPANISH prosecutor criticised the US war on terror yesterday as he requested an “exemplary sentence” against an alleged al-Qaida cell, three members of which are accused of helping plot the September 11 attacks in the US.

“We don’t need wars. We don’t need detention camps, but rather this kind of trial that strengthens the rule of law,” said prosecutor Pedro Rubira in closing arguments at the trial of 24 alleged al-Qaida members. He was apparently referring to the US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and the Guantanamo Bay detention camp for terror suspects.

Addressing the three-judge panel that will issue a sentence, he said: “The world will be watching when you issue a sentence. Be aware that what you do not only affects Spain, but affects the whole world,” he said.

“I ask the court for an exemplary sentence,” said Mr Rubira after the court heard two months of testimony. A sentence is expected in September.