The importance of the so-called “Hamburg Cell” can’t be overlooked regarding Al Qaeda’s September 11^th attacks on America. The Hamburg Cell consisted of seven individuals who lived “hidden in plain sight” in Hamburg, Germany. The cell centered around Mohamed Atta, who piloted the first aircraft into the north tower of the World Trade Center. Atta’s two roommates were hijackers-pilots Ziad Samir Jarrah and Marwan Al-Shehhi. Ramzi Bin al Shibh received his paperwork to attend an aviation school in the United States but repeatedly failed to obtain a visa to travel to the United States. Unable to travel to the US to obtain his pilot’s license Bin al Shibh was made the cell’s coordinator.  Said Bahaji helped with internet expertise and fled Germany on September 4, 2001 for Pakistan. Al Qaeda’s leader Ayman al-Zawahiri reported Bahaji’s death in an audio message in 2017. Zakariya Essabar was supposed to come to the United States to learn to fly. But he was denied a visa when he applied for one in

Mounir Motassadeq came to Germany and attended the Technical University studying electrical engineering.  Motassadeq was a signatory to Mohamed Atta’s will and he had power of attorney for Marwan Al-Shehhi’s bank account. Motassadeq didn’t travel originally with the “four” to the Al Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan. Instead, he stayed behind to cover for them while they traveled.  Motassadeq’s role was to provide logistical support. On May 22, 2000, Motassadeq flew from Hamburg to Karachi and returned on August 1, 2000.  During that period, he attended military training in a camp near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Terrorists often need individuals to conduct research and undertake logistical support for them to be successful. Besides the hijacker-pilots out of Hamburg, the 9/11 plot needed individuals to support them logistically as well as having a coordinator. Ramzi Bin al Shibh took on the role of the coordinator and Mounir Motassadeq provided logistical support. The result is that the 9/11 terrorists killed 2996 individuals and injured over 6,000 people. Terrorists whether part of the execution team or the logistics team should all be held accountable.

Germany recently announced that Mounir el-Motassadeq sentenced in 2006 to 15 years would be released early for time served. Motassadeq would then be deported back to Morocco. Motassadeq should be extradited to the United States and tried for his support to the Hamburg terrorists.

There hasn’t been much outcry over Motassadeq’s upcoming release. Congressman Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts said it is “unfathomable” to free an individual who helped the 9/11terrorists. Congressman Lynch is right on point. Two of the aircraft seized by the terrorists on September 11, 2001, departed from Logan Airport. This airport in Boston, Massachusetts is located in Congressman Lynch’s 8^th District. But more than one US Government official should be outraged that Motassadeq is about to walk free.  All Americans should be outraged that an individual who provided support for the 9/11 terrorists will shortly be free.