Spain Arrests Arms Dealer on U.S. Charges

Those who have even just scratched the surface of the story behind the Lockerbie disaster, will find this arms dealers name, noted and referred to regularly.

Monzer Al-Kassar, the Syrian born arms dealer, who despite being known to authorities and security agencies for decades, has not only defied apprehension, but indeed has lived the life of a prince in Spain.

Until June that is, when he was arrested arriving at Madrid Airport on an internal Spanish flight, on charges brought by the US government.

New York prosecutors have charged him with conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, money laundering and conspiracy to acquire an anti-aircraft missile and kill US nationals.

They say rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, wanted to use the weapons he supplied to fight US forces aiding Colombia in its battle against drug traffickers.

He is currently still held as the Spanish Court makes a decision on his extradition to the US.

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