Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Impassioned arguments

Impassioned arguments filled the courtroom this morning, as both sides argued whether four fatwas, or fatawa - plural of fatwa - should be shown to the jury. The four offer religious justifications for suicide attacks, particularly against Jews. They were posted in the spring of 2001 on a web site connected to the defendant, Sami Al-Hussayen.

"It would be natural, your honor, if the defendant did not agree with these statements, for him to do something to demonstrate that he didn't agree," federal prosecutor David Deitch told the judge. "But what does he do? He passes it along to millions of people."

Lead defense attorney David Nevin again called the prosecution's approach an "assault on the First Amendment."

The judge will announce his decision shortly.

Eye On Boise

News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.