# Mastermind of Achille Lauro hijacking arrested in Iraq **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 16, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994 "2003-04-16T01:58:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/1 "2003-04-16T01:58:08Z")
> [@](#): > > [http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/15/sprj.irq.abbas.arrested/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/15/sprj.irq.abbas.arrested/index.html) > Abu Abbas, the Palestinian terrorist who masterminded the 1985 hijacking of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in the Mediterranean Sea, has been arrested by U.S. personnel in Iraq. > > The hijacking of the ship led to the killing of disabled passenger Leon Klinghoffer, an American Jew. Klinghoffer was shot in his wheelchair and thrown overboard by Abbas’ men. > > In April 1996, Abbas – whose actual name is Muhammad Abbas – admitted to the hijacking and apologized. “We are sorry,” he said after returning to Gaza after years in exile. Abbas said the hijacking was a mistake . . . . . It seems he expressed remorse. How harshly should he be punished? Or should the US show magnanimity with someone who expressed regret and be lenient with him? What is just? What is the best course? ---
**Author:** ![RandySpears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/858c86/32.png) [@RandySpears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandySpears)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/2 "2003-04-16T02:02:29Z")
Hm, how about extraditing him to Italy where he can be tried? ---
**Author:** ![zwaldd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a9adbd/32.png) [@zwaldd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwaldd)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/3 "2003-04-16T02:11:07Z")
Life in prison or execution. If he was truly sorry he should have turned himself in to Italian authorities and faced the consequences of his actions in 1996. Getting arrested while trying to flee to Syria (or whatever it was he was doing) does not strike me as grounds for leniency. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/4 "2003-04-16T02:17:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RandySpears \* > \*\*Hm, how about extraditing him to Italy where he can be tried? \*\* I had not thought of that. The ship was indeed Italian, but the victim was American. hmmmm I am thinking that have this guy proclaim to all the Arab and Muslim world how mistaken he was might be better propaganda for the USA than having it reported that he has been executed. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/5 "2003-04-16T02:37:03Z")
He’s already by tried in abstencia in Italy and sentenced to life. No leniency. Why would it even be considered? He’s sorry that he shot a guy in a wheelchair, then shoved him overboard? Right! Sailor: Since you openned this thread, why don’t tell us what your opinion is? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/6 "2003-04-16T02:40:50Z")
Oops. Didn’t see that you already gave your opinion. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/7 "2003-04-16T02:50:07Z")
IMHO he should be extradited to the U.S., tried for murder in the first degree, and punished under the laws at the time. I gotta say, I never thought he’d ever be caught. I guess it’s true, the wheels of justice grind exceedingly slowly . . . ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/8 "2003-04-16T03:06:21Z")
I couldn’t see from the story-- Did we know in advance that he was in Iraq? Do we know if the Iraqi gov’t was giving him sanctuary? ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/9 "2003-04-16T03:10:35Z")
Well, I have no clear mind on this. Whether he should be tried by Italy or by the USA is a strictly legal issue about which I am not qualified to speak. Amybe medstar can give us a convincing legal explanation regarding why this falls under US and not Italian jurisdiction. But regarding leniency, I am not saying he should be pardoned but, OTOH, all courts will consider remorse and regret as a mitigating circumstance. In this case it seems particularly genuine since he expressed it publically long before he was caught. Whatever lenience could be granted on those grounds would probably be a point in outr favor in the Islamic world while just going for the max punishment without regard for his repentance would make us look petty and vindictive. I would also take into account his behaviour since then. If he has truly refrained from any further violence and has done a turn around and worked for peace I think it would be foolish and counter productive to just lock the guy up for life. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/10 "2003-04-16T03:11:46Z")
He was a terrorist operative that worked for the PLF at one point. He claimed to have remorse, but he did plan the attack. Should we have the same leniency on whoever above Mohammed Atta planned the attack on 9-11? Tripler As far as I’m concerned, they are all marked for life. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/11 "2003-04-16T03:38:21Z")
Sailor: We’d look petty and vindictive for giving a harsh sentence to a guy who hijacked a cruise ship, shot an invalid (in a wheelchair) and dumped his body overboard in front of the guy’s wife? Yeah, as I look at it, I see your point. We should just let him go to Syria where he can spread the message of peace, love and understanding. I guess this goes along with your leaniancy towards the US troops who didn’t guard the Baghdad museum, right? ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/12 "2003-04-16T03:47:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by John Mace \* > \*\*Sailor: > > We’d look petty and vindictive for giving a harsh sentence to a guy who hijacked a cruise ship, shot an invalid (in a wheelchair) and dumped his body overboard in front of the guy’s wife? > > Yeah, as I look at it, I see your point. We should just let him go to Syria where he can spread the message of peace, love and understanding. > > I guess this goes along with your leaniancy towards the US troops who didn’t guard the Baghdad museum, right? \*\* I don’t care for the tone of your response. And I have never, _ever_ proposed _any_ punishment for the troops who didn’t guard the museum. So please see if you can be constructive in this thread or take it to the pit otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Fang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fang)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/13 "2003-04-16T03:54:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > **In this case it seems particularly genuine since he expressed it publically long before he was caught.** I think the fact that he had to be caught in the first place pretty much negates the idea that his remorse is “genuine”. \*\* > [@](#): > > Whatever lenience could be granted on those grounds would probably be a point in outr favor in the Islamic world while just going for the max punishment without regard for his repentance would make us look petty and vindictive.\*\* Do you honestly think that that the administration of justice should be subordinated to public opinion? ---
**Author:** ![RandySpears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/858c86/32.png) [@RandySpears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandySpears)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/14 "2003-04-16T04:06:14Z")
So, how many were killed and wounded on the Achille Lauro? ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/15 "2003-04-16T04:24:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RandySpears \* > \*\*So, how many were killed and wounded on the Achille Lauro? \*\* I believe it was just that one man. So I see no one is in favor of any kind of clemency. Everybody wants the guy sentenced to the max. But in the USA most people are not getting life for murder. And remorse is definitely taken into account when sentencing. So I guess you want this guy treated _worse_ than what the normal sentence would be? \>\> Do you honestly think that that the administration of justice should be subordinated to public opinion? So if legally jurisdiction is for Italy I guess you favor handing him over to Italy without further delay? No questions asked? Just give him to Italy tomorrow? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/16 "2003-04-16T04:44:39Z")
It’s not just the murder. He’s also guilty of hijacking the ship itself, plus no doubt other crimes related to the incident. Leniency is a matter for the court to decide. He should be tried in front of a jury. Let them decide. Somehow, I don’t think he’s going to get much leniency. I wouldn’t give him any. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/17 "2003-04-16T04:48:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sam Stone \* > It’s not just the murder. He’s also guilty of hijacking the ship itself, plus no doubt other crimes related to the incident. Yup, an Italian ship. If legally it was Italian jurisdiction would you hand him over to Italy, no questions asked? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/18 "2003-04-16T05:25:00Z")
Well, I think at the time of the incident, we announced we weren’t pursuing charges against him, after Italy said they were, didn’t we? [http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030416/ap\_on\_re\_mi\_ea/war\_abul\_abbas&cid=540&ncid=716](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030416/ap_on_re_mi_ea/war_abul_abbas&cid=540&ncid=716) > [@](#): > > The U.S. Justice Department has said it has no grounds to seek Abbas’ extradition, as there is no outstanding warrant against him. The American warrants were dropped after his conviction in Italy. Seeing that he’s already facing life in prison in Italy, I don’t know what the point of a trial here would be. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/19 "2003-04-16T05:28:59Z")
Abu Abbas heads ( or headed ) one of three splinters of the PLF, which splintered off of the PFLP-GC, which splintered off the PFLP, which splintered off the PLO. We’re talking a tiny ( and secularist ) constituency. He’s a wee fish, even among Palestinians, let alone the Islamic world. It is likely his particular fate is not of great concern to most. As he has already been tried in absentia to three life sentences, I see no reason why he shouldn’t now serve them in Italy. By the way he was in Iraq because the PLF was primarily funded by Iraq. Several Arab countries ( Syria, Iraq, and Libya in particular ) have long acted as financial and at times political patrons to rival Palestinian factions. Just part of regional politics. I believe he was allowed into Gaza in 1996 by the Israelis to attend a Palestinian summit, but left again after the second intifida broke out, likely in fear ( probably rightly so ) that the Israelis would attempt to seize and extradite him. - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994/20 "2003-04-16T05:30:12Z")
I’d think the military would want to question this guy about other possible terrorist connections. I don’t know what other charges might be outstanding against him, if any. And, IANAL, but I’m also assuming that the cruise ship was under Italian jurisdiction when the hijack/murder was commited. Those are some significant caveats, but otherwise I would say turn him over to the Italians. Let them try him again if necessary, and let them decide guilt and punishment. I’d be very surprised if anyone in the US gov’t would ask for leniency from the Italians. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mastermind-of-achille-lauro-hijacking-arrested-in-iraq/168994.md?page=2)