Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani is shown in an undated photo from the U.S. District Attorney’s Office. (AP Photo/File)
NEW YORK (AP) – Prosecutors in New York say the first Guantanamo detainee to be convicted in a civilian court is evil and deserves a life sentence for helping al-Qaida bomb two U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998 and open the door to more terrorism.
The government submitted papers late Friday in preparation for Ahmed Ghailani’s sentencing next week.
Prosecutors cited Ghailani’s lack of remorse for the bombings that killed 224 people, including a dozen Americans.
Ghailani was convicted last year on a single charge of conspiracy to destroy government buildings that carries a potential life sentence. His lawyer did not immediately return a call for comment Monday.
Prosecutors said Osama bin Laden was a “lonely voice” with narrower influence before people like Ghailani boosted his appeal by committing horrible deeds.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
