Was convicted terrorist Mohammad Ali Hammadi recent released from a German prison related to the planned release of a German hostage in Iraq? Many believed he could have been held longer but the question is why was he released?
The United States wanted to extradite the Lebanese killer of a U.S. Navy diver, but Germany refused. The United States may get another chance to extradite him.
From today’s Washington Times:
A senior State Department official said Hamadi was in "temporary custody" in Lebanon, although it was not clear where or when he was arrested.
Mr. McCormack said Washington was "talking to the Lebanese government" about bringing him to the United States, but that the issue was complicated by the lack of an extradition treaty with Lebanon.
Germany refused to extradite Hamadi to the United States because he could face the death penalty. It also argues that he has been punished for his crime, and that trying him in a U.S. court would constitute double jeopardy.
Mr. McCormack disagreed, saying "there is a difference in the interpretations between the legal systems" of the two countries.
The decision to free Hamadi came just before the reported release of a German hostage in Iraq, Susanne Osthoff, but Berlin rejected suggestions that the developments were related.
In a previous post I expressed my concerns that the message sent to all terrorists in the world, you have a chance of freedom as long as you are alive.