Veiled Islamist defendant defies court

Taking the hide-behind-religion tactic to a new level, a veiled Islamist defendant defies court order to reveal face

BBC News reported recently on a terrorist plot suspect known only as Mona S. who steadfastly refused to reveal her face in a Vienna, Austria court.

“S” is charged with Mohamed M, with having ties to al-Qaeda and posting video threats on the Internet. She said the Vienna court had too many men present.

The presiding judge ordered the woman to be escorted from the court, arguing the jury could not judge her without seeing her face.

Both suspects deny the charges.

Arriving at the court in Vienna, the young woman refused to take off her full-covering hijab because she said there were "too many men here".

Mona S's defense lawyer argued that her trial could be prejudiced.

Police arrested he couple, Austrians of Arab descent, Sept., 2007, after a video posted on the internet threatening attacks in Austria and Germany if military personnel were not withdrawn from Afghanistan.

The video was signed "Global Islamic Media Front.”

The authorities said that the man mentioned possible targets such as the Euro 2008 football championship in internet chat groups frequented by radical Islamists.

The woman is alleged to have translated Arabic texts into German.

The couple's lawyer argued Global Media was not a terrorist organization, and there was insufficient evidence the couple had a link to al-Qaeda.

The couple is married under Islamic law, but not under Austrian law, the court heard.

If found guilty, they could face up to ten years in prison. A verdict is expected later this week. 

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