U.S. Justices Rule Against Algerian in Terrorist Case
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WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court yesterday ruled against an Algerian convicted of conspiring to detonate explosives at Los Angeles International Airport during the millenium holiday travel rush. In its 8-1 decision, the court upheld Ahmed Ressam’s conviction on an explosives charge, one of nine convictions that resulted in a 22-year prison sentence. At issue was whether Ressam should be convicted of carrying explosives during the commission of another crime, in Ressam’s case, lying on an Amerian Customs form when he crossed the border in December 1999. Writing for the majority, Justice John Paul Stevens said that “the most natural reading” of federal law goes against Ressam. Justice Stevens said it is undisputed that Ressam was carrying explosives when he falsely identified himself on an American Customs form as a Canadian citizen named Noris. Ressam is Algerian.
