Department of Justice Seal Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2004
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
AG
(202) 514-2008
TDD (202) 514-1888

STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT
ON THE FOURTH CIRCUIT’S RULING IN U.S. V. MOUSSAOUI:


“In today’s ruling, the Fourth Circuit upheld the government’s core position in the Zacarias Moussaoui case. The Court held that the government can provide Zacarias Moussaoui with a fair trial while still protecting critical national security interests. The government will not be required to provide Moussaoui with interactive access to detained terrorists. This ruling also allows us to seek the death penalty, and to present evidence regarding the conspiracy of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

“The Department of Justice is studying the Fourth Circuit’s opinion to determine the next course of action.”

###

04-264