"Civil-rights" lawyer Lynne Stewart, who the government alleges helped convicted Egyptian Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman "incite terrorism" around the world, was in White Plains last night to tell her side of the story. Before an audience of about 40 at the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester, the 64-year-old Stewart, who faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted, said she represented the sheik properly and did nothing criminal. What is really on trial, Stewart said, is the U.S. system of justice and the ability of a lawyer to represent a client.
| That's usually what's on trial when they've got the goods on you... |
Her indictment is meant to dissuade defense lawyers from zealously representing people criminalized by the government, she said. Stewart and two co-defendants, postal worker Ahmed Abdel Sattar and Arabic interpreter Mohamed Yousry, are scheduled to return to U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Monday on charges that they helped the blind sheik communicate with senior members of the Egyptian-based Islamic Group, an organization designated by the U.S. government as terrorist. Prosecutors say the defendants relayed messages for Abdel-Rahman, knowing the sheik could inspire acts of terrorism, including kidnappings and murders in other countries. Abdel Rahman, who was convicted in 1995 of joining a conspiracy to bomb New York City landmarks, is serving a life sentence. Stewart was Abdel Rahman's lawyer; Yousry and Sattar were interpreters. The defendants all assert their innocence. |