BERLIN - German authorities have paroled convicted terrorist Mohammed Ali Hamadi after he served 19 years of a life sentence for the 1985 hijacking of a TWA jetliner and the killing of a U.S. Navy diver, a law enforcement official said Tuesday.

 

Hamadi has been released from prison and has left Germany, said Doris Moeller-Scheu, a spokeswoman for the Frankfurt prosecutor's office. She said she did not know his destination.

 

She said Hamadi's case came up for a regular legally mandated review by a parole court and he was released from a prison in Schwalmstadt in southwestern Germany after an expert assessment and a hearing.

 

TWA flight 847 from Athens to Rome was hijacked on June 14, 1985, to Beirut, where the hijackers shot U.S. Navy diver Robert Dean Stethem, 23, of Waldorf, Maryland, and dumped his body on the tarmac.

 

Witnesses later identified Hamadi as having beaten the tied-up Stethem and the plane's flight engineer later testified at the 1989 trial that Hamadi bragged he had killed the diver.

 

Stethem's parents later sued Iran in U.S. federal courts, saying that Iran had given support to the hijackers, believed to be from the Hezbollah group.

 

German federal officials declined to comment extensively and said the case was a matter for state authorities. Justice Ministry spokeswoman Eva Schmierer said Germany did not have any request from the United States for Hamadi's extradition.

 

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Martin Jaeger, said there was no connection between his release and that of Susanne Osthoff, a German woman released at the weekend after spending more than three weeks as a hostage in Iraq.

 

Stethem, 23, was severely beaten during the hijacking and shot on June 15, while the plane was in Beirut.

 

He was the only fatality during the ordeal, in which 39 Americans were held hostage for 17 days. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart decorations posthumously, and a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer is named in his honor.

 

Hamadi was arrested at the Frankfurt airport on Jan. 13, 1987, when customs officials discovered liquid explosives in his luggage.

 

U.S. authorities had requested his extradition so he could stand trial in the United States, but the Germans, who have no death penalty, insisted on prosecuting Hamadi.

 

If we are so committed to combating terrorism, why didn't the U.S. Government request immediate extradition of this terrorist to the U.S., in order to face our legal system? This man killed a U.S. soldier, and managed to get released WAY too early.

 

This man not only murdered a U.S soldier, but was then caught nearly two years later trying to potentially blow up another plane, or possibly hijack that one too. Instead of spending so much time spying on Americans, the administration should have made sure that people like these aren't allowed to be on the loose.

If the US did try to extradict him you'd be whining about that too.

 

What makes you think the Germans would have sent him to the US where he faced a certain execution?

It would be great if all countries practiced executions then maybe we would not have such a mess with terrorism. The person who was killed was a Navy Diver which makes him a sailor not a soldier. I was in the Navy around this time during the Achile Loro (spelling?) incident where hi-jackers boarded this Italian luxury cruiser and dumped an american overboard in his wheelchair simply because he was jewish.

The US should have asked for his extradiction, yes. But since Germany shouldn't be letting him go in the first place, the US' request shouldn't even need to happen.

Wow, the immediate US Gov't bash at the end of the article is so suprising....

 

You would bitch either way.

 

 

Damned if they do, damned it they don't.

A recap:

 

Germany denied our previous request for extradition because of fears we'd execute him. Our extradition treaty with Germany supposedly bars us from being able to extradite prisoners after they've served prison time (link), so last month, we (Alberto Gonzales) asked Germany not to release him early. (link) Germany goes ahead and quietly releases him anyway.

 

So we go and ask Lebanon for the guy. Lebanon, in true evildoer fashion, asks, "What guy? :whistle "

 

Something's not adding up here.

Germany, come on now, do we need to call up Mother Russia and ruin your sh*t again?

Wow, the immediate US Gov't bash at the end of the article is so suprising....

 

You would bitch either way.

 

 

Damned if they do, damned it they don't.

 

Why would I be unhappy if they did ask for him to be turned over? I think I made my position pretty clear that I want him in our custody to face justice at our hands. The Germans didn't do a very good job of that, and let him off way too early.

Wow, the immediate US Gov't bash at the end of the article is so suprising....

 

You would bitch either way.

 

 

Damned if they do, damned it they don't.

 

Why would I be unhappy if they did ask for him to be turned over? I think I made my position pretty clear that I want him in our custody to face justice at our hands. The Germans didn't do a very good job of that, and let him off way too early.

 

And if he'd been executed, how would you react to that? Bitching and whining, I'd assume.

 

Now, how about if between the time he was sentenced and the time he was executed, he wrote a children's book? Certainly that would redeem him.

It would be great if all countries practiced executions then maybe we would not have such a mess with terrorism. The person who was killed was a Navy Diver which makes him a sailor not a soldier. I was in the Navy around this time during the Achile Loro (spelling?) incident where hi-jackers boarded this Italian luxury cruiser and dumped an american overboard in his wheelchair simply because he was jewish.

 

 

no it wouldnt be great. it would be a step backward to an even more barbaric world.

Then I'm sorry to say but you are weak. It's people like yourself that do not care about victims rights.

Saudi Arabia has the death penalty. Most 9-11 terrorists were from there. Germany does not have the death penalty. No German terrorists running around. I really dont think the death penalty is much of a disincentive for terrorist action.

Saudi Arabia has the death penalty. Most 9-11 terrorists were from there. Germany does not have the death penalty. No German terrorists running around. I really dont think the death penalty is much of a disincentive for terrorist action.

 

 

There isn't a large anti-American Islamic population in Germany either.

Well said

Then I'm sorry to say but you are weak. It's people like yourself that do not care about victims rights.

 

 

so the only thing to show strength is to go around executing people?

Wonderful. It wont be long before this guy is plotting to bring down another plane. Would it not be ironic if his next target is Lufthansa?

Then I'm sorry to say but you are weak. It's people like yourself that do not care about victims rights.

 

 

so the only thing to show strength is to go around executing people?

 

Yeah, executing muderers not people!

 

It's so funny how you libs spin this. You guys are always trying to humanize these muderers. It's sad that the victims who died don't have a voice but the murderers (after being convicted) always have someone speaking on their behalf.

Then I'm sorry to say but you are weak. It's people like yourself that do not care about victims rights.

 

:lol oh please

Then I'm sorry to say but you are weak. It's people like yourself that do not care about victims rights.

 

 

so the only thing to show strength is to go around executing people?

 

Yeah, executing muderers not people!

 

It's so funny how you libs spin this. You guys are always trying to humanize these muderers. It's sad that the victims who died don't have a voice but the murderers (after being convicted) always have someone speaking on their behalf.

 

yes! lets execute all murders, that will solve everything. wow, why didnt i ever think of that one!

 

you know its more expensive to kill someone than to lcok them away for life?

 

and its been well proven that death doesnt exactly deter people from killing.

 

so its really pointless, except quenching our thirst for revenge, cause thats essentially what it is.

Then I'm sorry to say but you are weak. It's people like yourself that do not care about victims rights.

 

 

so the only thing to show strength is to go around executing people?

 

Yeah, executing muderers not people!

 

It's so funny how you libs spin this. You guys are always trying to humanize these muderers. It's sad that the victims who died don't have a voice but the murderers (after being convicted) always have someone speaking on their behalf.

 

yes! lets execute all murders, that will solve everything. wow, why didnt i ever think of that one!

 

you know its more expensive to kill someone than to lcok them away for life?

 

and its been well proven that death doesnt exactly deter people from killing.

 

so its really pointless, except quenching our thirst for revenge, cause thats essentially what it is.

 

Gee I didn't know that it was expensive to kill someone? (being sarcastic). Why do you think that is? I never said it was a deterent! Its a great form of punishment! Believe me the murderers are not suffering in jail either if thats what you think punishment is. They are too busy getting free medical, dental, gym, tv, library, etc. (cost just as much to keep them alive!) Many of them are getting freakin rich off of book deals eventhough some judges completely ban it! The murderers will always have someone to write their stories about how innocent they are and many people out their will believe in their rhetoric! I had a professor in college show us a video of a guy who was going to be executed and it had freakin violin music in the back ground! It was so pathetic! Thankfully, many of the students in my class let the profesor know how we didn't buy into this. We wanted to see the victims file to support the other side of the argument. We were given the opportunity to review the case file since it is public and many of the students who were opposed to execution now had a change of heart. Being fair to this argument I said many not all had a change of heart.

Then I'm sorry to say but you are weak. It's people like yourself that do not care about victims rights.

 

 

so the only thing to show strength is to go around executing people?

 

Yeah, executing muderers not people!

 

It's so funny how you libs spin this. You guys are always trying to humanize these muderers. It's sad that the victims who died don't have a voice but the murderers (after being convicted) always have someone speaking on their behalf.

 

yes! lets execute all murders, that will solve everything. wow, why didnt i ever think of that one!

 

you know its more expensive to kill someone than to lcok them away for life?

 

and its been well proven that death doesnt exactly deter people from killing.

 

so its really pointless, except quenching our thirst for revenge, cause thats essentially what it is.

 

Gee I didn't know that it was expensive to kill someone? (being sarcastic). Why do you think that is? I never said it was a deterent! Its a great form of punishment! Believe me the murderers are not suffering in jail either if thats what you think punishment is. They are too busy getting free medical, dental, gym, tv, library, etc. (cost just as much to keep them alive!) Many of them are getting freakin rich off of book deals eventhough some judges completely ban it! The murderers will always have someone to write their stories about how innocent they are and many people out their will believe in their rhetoric! I had a professor in college show us a video of a guy who was going to be executed and it had freakin violin music in the back ground! It was so pathetic! Thankfully, many of the students in my class let the profesor know how we didn't buy into this. We wanted to see the victims file to support the other side of the argument. We were given the opportunity to review the case file since it is public and many of the students who were opposed to execution now had a change of heart. Being fair to this argument I said many not all had a change of heart.

 

ya i am against the death penalty because i'm all for murders' rights.

 

i just dont see what the point is, aside from the victims able to enact revenge on those murdering their loved ones.

 

i'm also against the ways prisons are now. a real deterrant would be to lock them away in a cell and just leave them there.

 

i guess it comes down to what do you expect from jails? a way to deter people from committing crimes? a rehab facility? a holding place until we can enact proper revenge?

 

or something completely different.

I personally wouldn't be opposed to his execution in the U.S.

Saudi Arabia has the death penalty. Most 9-11 terrorists were from there. Germany does not have the death penalty. No German terrorists running around. I really dont think the death penalty is much of a disincentive for terrorist action.

 

 

There isn't a large anti-American Islamic population in Germany either.

Yes there is. But Ill assume you were being sarcastic. There is no statistically significant difference between terrorists originating in countries with the death penatly as opposed to those without. So yeah, the point that was ignored is still valid.

 

And baldeagle, you really dont have a clue.

Saudi Arabia has the death penalty. Most 9-11 terrorists were from there. Germany does not have the death penalty. No German terrorists running around. I really dont think the death penalty is much of a disincentive for terrorist action.

 

 

There isn't a large anti-American Islamic population in Germany either.

Yes there is. But Ill assume you were being sarcastic. There is no statistically significant difference between terrorists originating in countries with the death penatly as opposed to those without. So yeah, the point that was ignored is still valid.

 

And baldeagle, you really dont have a clue.

 

The death penalty doesn't deter crime in most of the United States probably world-wide anyways.

Saudi Arabia has the death penalty. Most 9-11 terrorists were from there. Germany does not have the death penalty. No German terrorists running around. I really dont think the death penalty is much of a disincentive for terrorist action.

 

 

There isn't a large anti-American Islamic population in Germany either.

Yes there is. But Ill assume you were being sarcastic. There is no statistically significant difference between terrorists originating in countries with the death penatly as opposed to those without. So yeah, the point that was ignored is still valid.

 

And baldeagle, you really dont have a clue.

 

The death penalty doesn't deter crime in most of the United States probably world-wide anyways.

 

so other than the barbaric revenge factor associated with the death penalty, whats the point of it?