Denouncing the trial judge and his lawyers as involved in "a sophisticated version of the kiss of death" Zacarias Moussaoui, allegedly the 20th of the September-11th bombers, has sacked his lawyers.
At a hearing in the Alexandria, Virginia, federal court, ostensibly to inquire into his conditions of detention, Mr Moussaoui (33) rose to his feet to deliver a 50-minute address in heavily accented but clear English, in which he told District Judge Leonie Brinkema she was there as part of a conspiracy by the US government, involving his public defender team, to put him to death.
Mr Moussaoui said the government was "spending millions of their evil money to kill me", and told the judge she "is here as a field general entrusted to get this matter over quickly". He demanded the right to appoint a Muslim lawyer of his own choice or he would represent himself. He mistrusted appointed lawyers, "who have no understanding of terrorism, Muslims and mujahideen. I never told them anything of substance so there was no trust between me and them." He also asked for a trial without jury.
Judge Brinkena responded that she would seek a psychiatric report to establish if he was mentally competent to dismiss his team. But she acknowledged that if he passes a competency examination, she would have to grant his wish. She ordered the public defender team, however, to remain in court to represent his interests whether he co-operated or not.
Mr Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan descent, is charged with conspiring with Osama bin Laden, along with the 19 alleged hijackers and others, to commit the September 11th attacks. He was arrested earlier when his role at a flight training school raised suspicions. His trial is scheduled to begin on September 30th.
The judge's concern arises in part from an awareness that one of the most fruitful grounds for appeal in capital cases is the inadequacy of legal counsel.
But the surprise move by Mr Mousssaoui, who has a master's degree, also raises the probability that he will attempt to turn the trial into a political platform and is less concerned with saving his own life than with using the opportunity to spread his message.
