CONVICTED TERRORIST TO APPEAL EXTRADITION FROM

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001788 SIPDIS STATE PASS EUR/WE KATE SHARP AND L E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CJAN CVIS KCRM PTER BE SUBJECT: CONVICTED TERRORIST TO APPEAL EXTRADITION FROM BELGIUM TO U.S. ¶1. Belgian Federal Prosecutors Office Spokesperson Lieve Pellens announced November 25 that the United States had filed a request to extradite Nizar Trabelsi for membership in Al Qeada. A court in Nivelles ruled in favor of the U.S. request on November 19, and the extradition will now be heard by a Brussels court of criminal appeal in the next two to three weeks. The appeals court's opinion will be transmitted to Justice Minister Jo Vandeurzen, who makes the final decision. ¶2. Trabelsi, a Tunisian national, was convicted in 2004 for planning an attack on Kleine Brogel Air Base. He is currently serving out a ten year sentence. Trabelsi was recently moved from Nivelles to the higher security Ittre penitentiary at the federal prosecutors' request. ¶3. Legatt, RSO, and CONS are closely coordinating legal and logistical aspects in case the U.S. request is granted. Legatt recommends that press inquiries be referred to FBI HQ National Press Office at 202-324-3000 or FBI Washington Field Office, Deborah Weirman at 202-278-2000. FOX .