What is Moussaoui charged with?
Zacarias Moussaoui, a 35-year-old French citizen of Moroccan origin, is the only person so far charged in connection with the 11 September attacks on America. The US Government regards Mr Moussaoui as the “20th hijacker” – and accuses him of conspiring with the 19 other men alleged to have carried out the attacks on New York and Washington. Mr Moussaoui was arrested on immigration charges three weeks before the suicide hijackings after he aroused suspicions at a flight school in Minnesota. He is charged on four counts that carry the death penalty in the case of conviction – conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism, to commit aircraft piracy, to destroy aircraft and to use weapons of mass destruction. He is also charged with conspiracy to kill US Government officials and destroy US Government property – two lesser charges. How strong is the evidence against Moussaoui? Prosecutors have said that Mr Moussaoui’s actions mirror those of the 19 alleged hijackers behind the 11 September attacks
