Suspected Saudi terrorist's plea delayed

In this report:

Prosecutor agrees to postponement
How suspect will plead is uncertain
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June 26, 1997
Web posted at: 7:12 p.m. EDT (2312 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A federal judge postponed a hearing on a plea-bargain arrangement Thursday with a suspected Saudi terrorist while his new attorney explains the legal issues to his client.

The case of Hani al-Sayegh was postponed at the request of defense attorney Frank Carter, who said he was "not trying to deep-six" a plea bargain arranged by al-Sayegh's previous lawyer.

"Constitutional rights are not in (al-Sayegh's) experience," Carter told Judge Emmet Sullivan. The court appearance was rescheduled for July 10.

Al-Sayegh faces one count of conspiracy for attempting to murder U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia as part of a terrorist plot unrelated to the June 25, 1996, Khobar Towers truck bombing that killed 19 Americans.

Carter told reporters after the court proceeding that "it is unclear" whether al-Sayegh has any knowledge of the Khobar Towers bombing, or whether he has ties to Iranian-backed intelligence agents.

Michael Wildes, who represents al-Sayegh on immigration issues but relinquished the criminal aspects of the case to Carter, said al-Sayegh insists he knows nothing about the Khobar Towers truck bombing, but does have sensitive information about Iranian operations.

Prosecutor agrees to postponement

Wearing a black short-sleeved sweatshirt Thursday, al-Sayegh appeared relaxed and smiling behind bullet-proof glass as he spoke briefly through his interpreter to approve the appointment of Carter as his criminal counsel.

Carter told the court, "There are certain fundamental principles of the U.S. justice system that aren't in his experience. I need more time to help him understand his rights and responsibilities."

Federal prosecutor Eric Dubellier agreed to the delay.

Wildes told CNN Wednesday that al-Sayegh is under great and conflicting pressures. He said his client is being urged by the U.S. government to accept the deal and plead guilty, but his family is urging him not to cooperate and to "martyr" himself.

Wildes also said al-Sayegh does not want to be an excuse for the U.S. to retaliate against Iran for the Khobar bombing.

How suspect will plead is uncertain

Al-Sayegh was denied a request for asylum in Canada. Instead, authorities there alleged in court documents that al-Sayegh drove a car that signaled the truck bomb when to park in front of Khobar Towers.

He was deported to the U.S. last week after Wildes organized a plea arrangement to prevent him from being deported to Saudi Arabia. Wildes said the deal was "in the best interests of my client," who feared he would be executed if returned to Saudi Arabia.

But Wildes said now it is uncertain how al-Sayegh will plead.

Correspondent Terry Frieden and The Associated Press contributed to this report.