The 1985 brutal torture and murder of U.S. Navy Petty Officer Robert Dean Stethem was among the first chapters in the dark history of a radical Islamic global terrorist insurgency. Since then, the world has witnessed the evil face of terrorism time and again, from the bombings of the Khobar Towers to the attack on the USS Cole to the murder of 3,000 innocent people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania.

The old wounds of Stethem’s slaying were reopened late last month when the German government released his killer, Mohammed Ali Hamadi, a Hezbollah terrorist, after serving only 18 years of a life sentence. That was nothing short of a travesty of justice.

Hamadi didn’t deserve such leniency. He was convicted in 1987 for hijacking TWA Flight 847 and the cold-blooded murder of Stethem, a Seabee who was singled out for abuse because of his service in the United States military. Hamadi beat and tortured Stethem beyond recognition, shot him to death, and, in the final act of inhumanity, dumped his body on the runway two days later. Fingerprints were the only way his body was identified.

The German government’s reason for releasing Hamadi remains unclear, although the subsequent release of a German hostage in Iraq, Susanne Osthoff, has not gone unnoticed. As for Hamadi, he was wise enough not to stick around to ask questions. He gladly accepted his early holiday present and promptly fled to Lebanon, where it is reported he is now in hiding. It is likely that Hamadi has sought refuge on the outskirts of Beirut or on the border of Israel, where Hezbollah essentially maintains its own sovereign territory.

Justice will not be served until Hamadi is returned to America and stands trial for his evil actions. America had sought Hamadi’s extradition from Germany since 1987, but was rebuffed because he could face the death penalty here. Thus far, Lebanon has been equally obstinate, reasoning that placing Hamadi on trial again would amount to double jeopardy.

When it comes to the punishment of terrorists, Lebanon could do better than to lecture America.

Lebanon’s coddling of Hamadi is disappointing in light of the strides it has made since the Cedar Revolution, which opened the door to democratic institutions and expanded freedoms for the Lebanese people. These positive changes have been met with fierce resistance from terrorist nations and their operatives, who have sought to create instability and unrest in the nation. The February 2005 assassination of a former prime minister, Rafik Hariri, and last month’s murder of a prominent journalist, Gibran Tueni, demonstrate that terrorists and the countries that provide them safe haven will stop at nothing to achieve their twisted goals.

Lebanon must join America in sending a clear message to international terrorist organizations and terrorists like Hamadi that their actions – no matter how long ago – will not be tolerated by civilized society.

I have already made that point in a letter to Lebanese officials and will do so again in an upcoming meeting. I have also introduced congressional legislation that would eliminate all foreign assistance to Lebanon, which amounted to $35 million last year and a similar amount this year, if Hamadi is not brought to justice.

America’s path is clear: We will pursue terrorists wherever they seek refuge. No individual responsible for the taking of an American life should evade the judgment of an American court. Lebanon can choose to be either a partner in ridding the scourge of terrorism or another obstacle that cowers to the most radical elements of society.

The question is whether Lebanon is up to the task.

Mr. Fossella represents the 13th Congressional District of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.