Release of Terrorist Luis Posada Carriles Sparks International Indignation VENEZUELA, May 9, 2007.- - The international community is outraged by Washington's protection of terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, according to Cuban American lawyer José Pertierra, a representative of the Venezuelan government in the extradition request. The well-respected attorney told reporters that despite the U.S. judge's decision in dismissing the charges against the terrorist, "through public opinion we can push the U.S. Justice Department to comply with the law and establish justice." In statements to Venezolana de Television, Pertierra added that Judge Kathleen Cardone did not want to give in to Bush administration manouvers in what she referred as "a political hot potato." Cardone dismissed on Tuesday charges against Posada on immigration fraud. He was to appear in court on Friday, May 11th, in El Paso, Texas. According to José Pertierra, the problem lies in the manipulation of the U.S. legal system on behalf of the White House. He said that Washington must detain Posada, extradite or try him for the bombing of a Cubana airliner in 1976 killing 73 innocent people on board and the assassination of an Italian tourist after the bombing of a Havana hotel in 1997. According to the Cuban American attorney, the battle to try Posada Carriles can be won because Washington's position is politically and legally unsustainable. He noted that according to U.S. laws, Posada Carriles must be tried as an assassin and not as a liar. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
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