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N: In testimony that almost seemed designed to seal his fate, alleged Al-Qaida operative Zacarias Moussaoui told a jury yesterday that he has, quote, "no regret, no remorse" for concealing the September 11 attacks. He says he wishes the attacks could be duplicated every day.
But despite this, Human Rights Watch researcher Jennifer Deskal, said that her organization is against the death penalty.
A Deskal: Our position is the same for Moussaoui case. It is very cruel punishment, which violates the international law.
N: The jury found Moussaoui eligible for the death penalty, and jurors now have to decide whether he should be executed or spend life in prison. Many relatives of the 9/11 victims want to see at least one person punished for the September 11 attacks. Deskal from Human Rights Watch understands the feeling of the relatives, but that does not change her opinion on the death penalty.
A Deskal: What happened is terrific and I fully understand the relatives.
N: Moussaoui is the only person to stand trial in the United States in connection with September 11 attacks. He was in jail in Minnesota at the time of the attacks, but knew about them and lied to interrogators about his knowledge.
Columbia University Professor of Law Jeremy Waldrom, said even though Moussaoui was in jail he is legally responsible for what happened on September 11.
A: He has conspiratorial connection. And what he was in the prison at the time makes no difference. He can be found responsible for advising and so on.
N: But Waldrom is against the death penalty. Yet, Moussaoui's own testimony may make it inevitable. During yesterday's testimony, foe example, Moussaoui said that he is willing to kill Americans any time, anywhere. When he was asked by a prosecutor why he smiled this week when widows and military officers described the 9/11 deaths, he said, quote, 'make my day.
Waldrom said that the behavior of Moussaoui but can be explained by the long time he spent in prison.
A: Nobody went through what Moussaoui went though.
N: The hearings in the Moussacoui case will continue. His lawyers will argue against the death penalty. Moussaoui refuses their help and does speak with them.
Galima Bukharbaeva, Columbia Radio News.