Germany brings charges against Frankfurt airport gunman who killed two U.S. service members

[News_Editor]

Germany brings charges against Frankfurt airport gunman who killed two U.S. service members

2011-07-08 05:46:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

KARLSRUHE, GERMANY (BNO NEWS) -- German authorities on Thursday brought charges against the Frankfurt airport gunman who killed two U.S. service members last March, the DPA news agency reported.

Arid Uka, 21, a German Muslim, was charged with the most serious degree of murder under Germany's law but not on terrorism charges. He was indicted on two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

The shooter, also known as "Abu Reyyan," has been in custody since the attack. On March 2, approximately 15 U.S. Air Force personnel arrived at Frankfurt airport. After retrieving their luggage they walked to a U.S. Armed Forces bus which was waiting nearby.

As the service members proceeded to load their bags onto the bus and board the vehicle, an individual who was later identified as Uka approached one of the witnesses who was waiting to board the bus.

Uka asked him if the passengers were all Americans and after the service member confirmed that they were U.S. soldiers, the defendant approached him from behind and shot him in the ear.

The U.S. Air Force service member, Nicholas Alden, collapsed to the ground. Uka boarded the bus and fatally shot Zachary Ryan Cuddeback in the head at close range. He walked down the aisle of the bus while firing his gun repeatedly.

According to witnesses, Uka was shouting what sounded like Allahu Akbar, an Arabic expression which means 'God is great.' He shot and injured two other U.S. Air Force service members who were on the bus.

However, his pistol jammed and an airman chased and caught him, together with German law enforcement officers. Karlsruhe prosecutors said he acted alone and inspired on Islamist websites.

The three wounded service members recovered; one of them lost sight on one eye. German prosecutors have said he carried out the attack in retaliation for the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.

On June 21, U.S. prosecutors charged Uka in Manhattan with five counts, including two counts of Murder of an Officer of the United States for the deaths of U.S. airmen Zachary Ryan Cuddeback and Nicholas Alden.

U.S. President Barack Obama previously said he was 'saddened' and 'outraged' by the attack. He vowed to work with German authorities to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice.

However, German authorities said the U.S. has not filed an extradition request and thus, Uka will be tried in his native country. The Frankfurt shooter is facing life imprisonment if found guilty.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-08