Iraq insurgent pleads guilty to planting bombs

[unhappycamper]

Iraq insurgent pleads guilty to planting bombs
By Nedra Pickler - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 26, 2009 11:10:46 EST

WASHINGTON — The first insurgent from the Iraq war prosecuted in U.S. courts pleaded guilty Thursday to planting roadside bombs in a deal that carries a 25-year prison sentence. How much time he actually spends in prison will be up to the Netherlands.

Iraqi-born Dutch citizen Wesam al-Delaema pleaded in guilty in federal court to conspiracy to murder Americans outside the United States, a charge that can carry up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

He and his fellow “Mujahideen from Fallujah” videotaped themselves planting remote-control explosives along a road used by U.S. troops. The explosives did not cause any deaths.

The Justice Department and al-Delaema have agreed that he will be sentenced to 25 years with no fine — a deal that U.S. Judge Paul L. Friedman said in court that he would approve.

Al-Delaema could end up with a lighter sentence because the agreement also says he will be returned to the Netherlands, where a Dutch judge will determine how much time he should serve under the Dutch system.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_iraq_roadsidebomber_022609/%2e