Swedish Terror Suspect Causes Stir in New York Courtroom

A Swedish terror suspect had an outburst in a New York courtroom yesterday after being extradited from the Czech Republic on charges of supporting Al Qaeda. At his arraignment in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, Oussama Kassir shouted at Judge John Keenan and denied any involvement with Osama bin Laden's terror organization. Mr. Kassir also questioned the authority of the American court system and accused the prosecutor, Eric Bruce, of telling lies.

"Why is he standing there? Why is he lying, this man?" Mr. Kassir said in English, interrupting Mr. Bruce's presentation of the indictment.

He then addressed Judge Keenan: "Mr. Judge, are you a better judge than a judge in Sweden?" he asked, gesturing with his cuffed hands. "They don't judge me in Sweden. Why does this man?"

Judge Keenan threatened to gag Mr. Kassir if he did not stop interrupting the court proceedings.

A Lebanese-born Swedish citizen, Mr. Kassir has been detained in Prague since his arrest in 2005 on charges that he conspired to provide material support and resources to Al Qaeda — including the establishment of the militant training camp in Bly, Ore. — and that he provided detailed online guides on bomb-making and poisons, according to the indictment.

The camp was designed to prepare Muslim students for jihad, or holy war, by training them in basic military-style combat before continuing to Afghanistan for additional training, the U.S. attorney's office said in a statement. Mr. Kassir denied having any association with Al Qaeda. "I am just a Muslim person who committed no acts. I have nothing to do with Al Qaeda," he said. "They want to force charges of terrorism against me. This is all unjust and unfair." Mr. Kassir is scheduled to appear in court next on November 28. He has previously spent time in prison for assaulting a police officer, drug possession, and illegal weapons possession.