9/11 terrorist convicted in Germany files appeal News
9/11 terrorist convicted in Germany files appeal

[JURIST] Lawyers for Moroccan-born Mounir al-Motassadeq [BBC profile; JURIST news archive], who was convicted by a German court [JURIST report] last week for his involvement with the 9/11 attacks, said Tuesday that they have appealed the conviction. Motassadeq's lawyers claim the evidence linking him to the attacks was circumstantial and that he was not involved in the Hamburg-based terror cell of hijacker Mohammed Atta [Wikipedia profile]. In his first trial in 2003, Motassadeq was convicted on 3,000 charges of aiding and abetting murder and sentenced to 15-years in prison, but the decision was overturned and a new trial was ordered [JURIST report]. In his second trial, the court cleared Motassadeq of his direct involvement in the attacks, but sentenced him to seven years for membership in a terrorist organization. Deutsche Press Agentur has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.