Times Square Bomber Gets 6 Consecutive Life Sentences
October 5, 2010 - 12:43 PM | by: Maryam Sepehri
Pakistani American Faisal Shahzad who pleaded guilty to parking a bomb loaded SUV in New York's Times Square and leaving it to explode gets 6 consecutive life sentences at a Federal Courtroom in lower Manhattan today. US Marshals escorted Shahzad into the courtroom and removed his handcuffs.
He was wearing a white Muslim skull cap, blue prison garb and a brown t-shirt. He had longer then usual hair and a longer beard. Shahzad was calm and controlled but defiant and unremorseful.
He asked to make a 5 minute statement before being sentenced. "This is my whole life and I will sacrifice it one thousand times for Allah," he told the court.
"Muslims don't abide by any other laws because those laws are corrupt. We only believe in Shariah law."
He continued, "How can I be judged by a judge that doesn't understand the suffering of my people?"
He mentioned crusading US forces and added, "We don't accept your democracy or your freedom because we already have shariah law and freedom."
He claimed, "The war with Muslims has just begun" and "the defeat of the US is imminent."
Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum interrupted his statement and asked when he became a naturalized American?
"April of last year" replied Shahzad.
The Judge then asked whether he swore allegiance and he said, "I didn't mean it." The judge continued, "You took a false oath?"
"Yes," he said.
Shahzad didn't stop there, he kept going, "the past nine years, the wars against Muslims hasn't achieved anything. We want to defend and if nothing changes we will keep terrorism. We will defeat you with time." And he concluded with "my last message, there is only one God... Embrace Islam and become Muslim."
After Shahzad finished his statement, Judge Cedarbaum read out the counts.
"Count one and two life in prison," she said.
In response to this Shahzad praised Allah, "Allahu Akbar." The judged then said, "I understand you welcome that.
Shahzad snaps back, "my sentence is only the limit God has set for me... and you all will face your destiny in the hereafter. So I am happy with the deal God has given me."
Shahzad will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
