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Is it right to put 9/11 suspects on trial in New York?

Senior US Republicans have condemned the Obama administration's move to try alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others in New York. What do you think of the decision?

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said bringing the suspects from Guantanamo into the US would put Americans "unnecessarily at risk".

The five will be tried in a civilian court near Ground Zero. The prosecution says it will seek the death penalty.

Democrats hailed the decision, while families of 9/11 victims are divided. The move is part of US President Barack Obama's efforts to close the Guantanamo detention centre for terror suspects.

Do you think it dangerous to move the suspects to America? Do you think this is the best way justice can be served? Are you in New York? Were you affected by the 9/11 attacks?

Published: Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 08:29 GMT 08:29 UK

All comments as they come in

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 05:04 GMT 05:04 UK

When are people going to realise that these terrorists are at war with the USA and much of the Western World. They are not civilians nor are they enemy soldiers and cannot claim the right to a trial in a civilian court nor the right to Prisoner of War status. All I can see is trouble in the future now that a precedent is set to be made. Every defence lawyer will tie up the courts for years unless there is a way to deal with these captives.

Alan Ward, Sydney, Australia

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 04:54 GMT 04:54 UK

Terrorism is not ordinary crime
Terror is a tactical tool used by war doctrines that are not covered by the international conventions.
Targeting civilians, not warring uniforms, hiding among civilians
From one hand they attack the world words and from the second hand they are getting shelter from the world order.
The international lows (Example Geneva convention) should be change to get read of terrorism
A new international low system should be adopted against terrorism.

Mordechay Ariely, Rishon le Zion, Israel

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 04:49 GMT 04:49 UK

The suspects will not get a fair trial in the US, The Hague is where it should be done.

Richard, London

Does not matter where it is held as the pressure that will be put on those deciding their fate, will ensure the decision is the one that is wanted and not one that is fair.

Innocent until proven gulity

andy singy

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 04:48 GMT 04:48 UK

It seems to me that if you are charged with a crime committed in the US that you go on trial in the US.When I recall the innocent people charged with IRA crimes in GB and how they were treated I would rather take my chance with a jury here than a judge there.
PS I live in the USA

andrew, Sacramento

We did charge them and they stood trail. Yes some were wrong but the vast majority were correct. We did not hold them without charge for years and years.

andy singy

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 03:08 GMT 03:08 UK

Those suspects have little chance of a fair trial. And all a conviction and execution will lead to is renewed hatred against westeners. Somebody got to break the vicious circle.

Please consider that no Americans ever were brought to trial for the atrocities against retreating iraqi soldiers

[SurreyViking], Reigate, United Kingdom

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 02:38 GMT 02:38 UK

911 WAS a heinous act - AN atrocity without precedent. Its true perpetrators should be tried INSIDE america. Get the JOB done.

Pete Reid, Sittingbourne, United Kingdom

well, well, well, 350,000 iraqi civilians and as many more afghani civilians - is that not a bigger crime ? unless you think 1 american lives are worth 100,000 iraqi lives ? and dont forget the 1990 invasion of iraq and since then - the civilian deaths are astronomous. That, mr reid is a heinous act.

[antidot], hertford, United Kingdom

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 02:28 GMT 02:28 UK

yes, george W bush should be the first person tried.

[antidot], hertford, United Kingdom

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 02:14 GMT 02:14 UK

WRONG!

What an opportunity for these un-uniformed war combatants to have a world-wide soap box for their political views!

The victims of the 9/11 atrocity will be forgotten.

[hold-it-right-there], Minneapolis, United States

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 02:13 GMT 02:13 UK

Don't forget that the people, that actually carried out the attacks, are dead.

But, as the US just wants revenge, anybody will do!

That is why it invaded the wrong country - Iraq! The terrorists came from Saudi!!!!!!!!

These people do not stand a chance of getting a fair trial.

Peter, Ulverston

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 02:08 GMT 02:08 UK

Clearly, the US doesn't believe in a fair trial. Otherwise, it would not have even considered having the trial in New York.

I am sure that the defendant's lawyers will try to get the trial moved. I hope that they succeed.

The US - hypocrits, as usual!

Peter, Ulverston

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 02:03 GMT 02:03 UK

Shirley Thomas, Rayleigh, UK wrote: "..... The whole world watched on appalled as that city's heart was ripped out......"

How dare you tell me what I thought!

I was not appalled. So do not claim that you represent the whole world, with your thoughts. You don't!

The US threw a tantrum around the world

Now it knows what its like to be attacked - something it does, everyday, to other people, all around the world!

Peter, Ulverston

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 24:48 GMT 00:48 UK

Right or wrong? Wrong or right? It's the two faces of the same coin. The question that people ought to be asking is if justice will be served equally as well. If it is then what's the problem?

Mitch, Elizabeth, NJ

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 24:46 GMT 00:46 UK

How on earth is trying these guys in New York putting the public at risk? Are the Obama-bashers trying to suggest that they'll escape from court, hijack a plane and crash it into Manhattan?
[Peter_Sym], Nottingham

Well you could look at Samir Kuntar, a conflicted child killer who allies, Hezbollah, started the 2006 Lebanon War to free. If not them (the ones going on trial) people are worried about it's there supporters attacking the trial and those taking part.

Andrew Salter, Bournemouth, United Kingdom

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 24:46 GMT 00:46 UK

They undoubtedly should be on trial, but probably not in New York.

It was very telling when one New York citizen said they were very dangerous men who should never be allowed near US shores again - they're guilty then ?? I thought that was what the trial was supposed to determine - silly me.

And that's just the way it is, Nottingham, England

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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 24:41 GMT 00:41 UK

Trying these criminals in NY is a slap in the face to all of the other nations (88 I believe) who lost people in the Sept. 11th attack. They were counted among the more than 3000 losses. These criminals didn't just attack America, they attacked us all and should be tried in an International Court that represents all of the countries involved.

I lost a friend that terrible day! I know it happened on American soil, but what about the other nations who suffered loss from that terrible attack?

[Elshya], Whitney, Texas, United States

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DEBATE STATUS

Total comments:
1463
Published comments:
955
Rejected comments:
283
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