So what were they doing with the mildly poisonous chemical compound and maps of the U.S. Embassy? I guess we’ll never know.
ROME, Italy (AP) — An Italian court has acquitted nine Moroccans accused of plotting an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Rome. …
The nine were arrested in February, 2002 on suspicions they were planning to poison the embassy’s water supply.
A mildly poisonous chemical compound found at the Rome apartment where four of the suspects were living. Maps indicating the U.S. Embassy were found outside the same apartment.
They were charged with association aimed at international terrorism — a charge introduced after the September 11 attacks as part of Italy’s efforts to crack down on suspected Islamic terrorists.
Prosecutor Franco Ionta asked the court to convict four of the defendants, seeking a prison term of up to seven years and six months.
The remaining five should be acquitted for lack of evidence, Ionta said.
The defendants denied any wrongdoing.