Imprisoned sheik near death (NY Newsday)

[Eugene]

Imprisoned sheik near death
Supporters of blind cleric who had role in tries to blow up NYC landmarks
say that retaliation is unlikely
BY MOHAMAD BAZZI

March 5, 2007

CAIRO - Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, the Egyptian cleric serving a life sentence for plotting
to blow up New York City landmarks, is "nearing death," but his supporters are unlikely
to retaliate against the United States, according to his Egyptian lawyer.

Abdel-Rahman, 68, is suffering from the effects of a tumor on his liver and his kidneys are
in danger of failing, said Montasser al-Zayyat, a prominent attorney for Egyptian militants.
Al-Zayyat said the cleric described his deteriorating health in a phone call to his wife
last month from the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo.

"He has multiple health problems: diabetes, a weak heart, kidney trouble," al-Zayyat said.
"All these problems have come together ... He's nearing death."

-snip-

Al-Zayyat said the cleric's death is unlikely to fuel violence among his supporters inside
Egypt, because they have been crippled by years of government crackdowns. He said
the sheik's supporters in the wider Middle East also are unlikely to organize quick reprisal
attacks because he has been ill for so long, and his death is expected.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-wosheik055118852mar05,0,4715276.story

[Journeyman]

1. Natch. That's how a "life sentence" sometimes ends. . .

n/t