(Attorney General John Ashcroft announced decision March 28) (430)

The Department of Justice intends to seek the death penalty in the
case of Zacarias Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan descent,
accused by the United States of six counts of conspiracy for his role
in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Four of
the counts carry a maximum sentence of death, if he is convicted.

Moussaoui is in prison in Alexandria, Virginia awaiting his trial
which is scheduled to begin September 30.

He is the only person charged so far in the September 11 attacks on
New York and Washington that killed thousands of people.

Attorney General John Ashcroft made the announcement March 28 in
Miami, Florida where he was on official business.

Following is the transcript of Ashcroft's announcement:

(begin transcript)

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2002

STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY IN MOUSSAOUI CASE

On December 11, 2001, a grand jury sitting in Alexandria, Virginia,
returned an indictment charging Zacarias Moussaoui with six different
conspiracy offenses for his role in the September 11th attacks. Four
of the conspiracy charges are death eligible charges carrying the
potential of the death penalty if Mr. Moussaoui is convicted.

When I announced the return of the indictment, I stated that the
Department of Justice would follow its well-established protocol and
procedure before I decided whether or not to seek the death penalty in
the Moussaoui case. The Department procedure provides, the protocol
provides, among other things, for the submission by the defendant of
any reasons why he believes the death penalty is not appropriate.

Having completed the process set forth in the protocol, I announce
today that I have authorized the United States Attorneys for the
Eastern District of Virginia and the Southern District of New York to
seek a sentence of death.

Following my instructions, the United States Attorneys have filed a
notice of intent to seek a sentence of death. In the notice, we have
alleged numerous reasons -- called aggravating factors -- which we
believe why the death penalty is appropriate. Among these reasons is
the impact of the crime on thousands of victims.

To that end, we remain committed not only to carrying out justice in
this case, but also to ensuring that the rights of the victims are
fully protected.

(end DOJ transcript)

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