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Dutch Iraqi sentenced in US trial Dutch Iraqi sentenced in US trial
(5 days later)
A US federal judge has sentenced an Iraqi-born Dutch defendant accused of planting roadside bombs in Iraq to 25 years in prison.A US federal judge has sentenced an Iraqi-born Dutch defendant accused of planting roadside bombs in Iraq to 25 years in prison.
However, the Netherlands will decide how much time the defendant, Wesam al-Delaema, will serve.However, the Netherlands will decide how much time the defendant, Wesam al-Delaema, will serve.
Extradited from the Netherlands two years ago, he was the first suspected Iraq insurgent to be tried in the US.Extradited from the Netherlands two years ago, he was the first suspected Iraq insurgent to be tried in the US.
To secure his extradition, the US agreed that he could serve any sentence in the Netherlands.To secure his extradition, the US agreed that he could serve any sentence in the Netherlands.
It also gave assurances that he would be tried in a federal court, not by a military commission.It also gave assurances that he would be tried in a federal court, not by a military commission.
Delaema had agreed to the 25-year sentence on charges of conspiracy to murder Americans outside the US as part of a plea bargain.Delaema had agreed to the 25-year sentence on charges of conspiracy to murder Americans outside the US as part of a plea bargain.
European sentencing 'different'European sentencing 'different'
Ahead of the sentencing, District Judge Paul Friedman had encouraged the Dutch to match the sentence, the Associated Press news agency reported.Ahead of the sentencing, District Judge Paul Friedman had encouraged the Dutch to match the sentence, the Associated Press news agency reported.
"If I had my way, I wouldn't be giving an advisory opinion," the judge said."If I had my way, I wouldn't be giving an advisory opinion," the judge said.
"I'd be saying 25 years is 25 years... But I don't have that authority.""I'd be saying 25 years is 25 years... But I don't have that authority."
Delaema's lawyer, Robert Tucker, told the judge that his client only agreed to the plea bargain because he thought he would serve less than 25 years in the Netherlands.Delaema's lawyer, Robert Tucker, told the judge that his client only agreed to the plea bargain because he thought he would serve less than 25 years in the Netherlands.
"Europe does not sentence like that," he said."Europe does not sentence like that," he said.
"Everybody understood as clear as a bell, including the government, that this sentence is going to be changed.""Everybody understood as clear as a bell, including the government, that this sentence is going to be changed."
Born in Falluja, Delaema returned to Iraq after the US-led invasion.Born in Falluja, Delaema returned to Iraq after the US-led invasion.
He was among a group that videotaped themselves planting remote-controlled explosives by a road used by US troops.He was among a group that videotaped themselves planting remote-controlled explosives by a road used by US troops.
Prosecutors said was impossible to know if the bombs on Delaema's video were detonated or killed any Americans, AP reported.Prosecutors said was impossible to know if the bombs on Delaema's video were detonated or killed any Americans, AP reported.
But they noted that roadside bombs killed four Americans in the area over the next 10 days.But they noted that roadside bombs killed four Americans in the area over the next 10 days.
Delaema was arrested in May 2005 in the Dutch city of Amersfoort following a tip-off from US authorities.Delaema was arrested in May 2005 in the Dutch city of Amersfoort following a tip-off from US authorities.
In Dutch court hearings, he argued that he was kidnapped and forced to make the video on pain of death.In Dutch court hearings, he argued that he was kidnapped and forced to make the video on pain of death.