16 September 2003
An Algerian pilot falsely accused by the United States of training the September 11 hijackers today filed his claims for damages against the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Lotfi Raissi, 29, was the first person accused of participating in attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. He was arrested on 21 September 2001 and was accused of being the 'chief instructor' to the terrorists. Mr Raissi found himself at the centre of the biggest investigation in criminal history and was told that it was likely that he was going to be charged with conspiracy to murder and could face the death penalty in the US.
These sensational allegations resulted in Mr Raissi being detained in a cell for 23 hours a day at Belmarsh top security prison. On 12 February 2002, after 5 months of detention, the UK judge said "I am satisfied that the links that the government had previously put before this court which was thought to connect the defendant to others in the terrorist organisation can no longer be substantiated"; he declared that he was satisfied that there was no likelihood of terrorist charges against Mr Raissi and granted him bail.
Even after all the serious allegations were dropped, the US pursued the extradition of Mr Raissi for petty offences that were completely unrelated to terrorism. The Guardian reported that intelligence sources confirmed their belief that he was innocent and that the US was playing around with British justice.
On 24 April 2002 the extradition nightmare concluded when a British judge ruled that there was no case for Mr Raissi to answer. When the judge dismissed the case he made a special point of saying that there had been no evidence whatsoever to support the allegation that Mr Raissi was involved in terrorism.
Mr Raissi said 'I love the US, I lived and trained there and had hoped to make a life for myself in America. But the US together with the British police and prosecutors ruined my life and they have not even apologised'.
Mr Raissi is being represented jointly by Jules Carey of Tuckers Solicitors in the UK and in the US by attorneys Paul Hoffman and Dan Stormer. They said that "the consequences for Mr Raissi have been utterly ruinous. His family spent enormous sums to support his training as a pilot and now he will never work in his chosen profession. On account of the unfounded allegations many will always see him as a terrorist. His entire life, both personal and professional have been blighted by the allegations and it is time for the US and UK authorities to acknowledge their part in his undoing".
For further details, please read the report on the BBC's website.