Trump’s death penalty call for terror suspect
DONALD Trump yesterday called for Manhattan terror suspect Sayfullo Saipov to be executed after a court was told he “felt good” about slaughtering eight innocent victims.
The US President admitted it would take too long to carry out his earlier demand that Saipov be sent to Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
But he said the 29- year- old Uzbek fanatic should be given the death penalty for using a truck to plough into his victims on a cycle path.
Mr Trump’s tough- talking stance came as the FBI were due to question an associate of Saipov, fellow- Uzbek Mukhammadzoir Kadirov, in connection with Tuesday’s attack.
Islamic State convert Saipov faces a penalty of death for the charge of committing violence and destruction of motor vehicles causing death.
The married father of three can also be jailed for life on the second charge of providing material support to a terror group.
Mr Trump tweeted: “Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system.
“There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. Death penalty!”
Mr Trump added in a later posting: “He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. Should get death!
Saipov, of New Jersey, appeared before Manhattan federal court in a wheelchair after being shot in the stomach by police as he fled. He was remanded in custody.
Documents for the hearing described his gloating attitude to the massacre which killed two American men, five Argentinian former college friends and a Belgian mother.
Saipov asked police if the IS flag could be displayed on his hospital bed. He told them he planned the attack for a year after being inspired by IS leader Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi.
He revealed that he chose Halloween because there would be more people on the streets and had also planned to target Brooklyn Bridge.
Police found in his possession thousands of IS videos and photographs, including clips of prisoners being beheaded.