Faizal Shahzad, the 30-year-old who attempted targeted Times Square with a car bomb, received a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.
Faizal, a Pakistani- American, had pleaded guilty to all ten charges leveled against him. He had admitted to having received training from an explosive expert in December 2009. He had stayed with the Pakistani Taliban or TTP in the tribal area straddling the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. This area is known for being the headquarters of the Taliban activists. In addition to training, he had also received financial assistance to carry out his terrorist activities within America. He had made a video broadcast which showed his target area.
On being arrested within days of the attempted bomb attack, he showed no remorse. He had waived his Miranda rights and claimed that he would have gone on with his terrorist attacks till he was arrested or killed. He had told that the bomb attacks would go on until the Americans had stopped attacking the Muslim world.
When Shahzad was given an opportunity to speak before the judgment was pronounced, he told the court that the court was incapable of judging him without understanding the suffering of his people. He also warned the court of attempts of terrorism continuing until the Americans stopped trying to bring democracy into the Muslim world. He said that he was happy with the deal that God had given him
As Judge Goldman-Cedarbaum sentenced him to life imprisonment without parole, she advised him to spend the time in prison to introspect on whether the Quran actually asked him to kill people. U.S, Attorney Preet Bharara seemed satisfied with the judgment and said that it was important that the next terrorist be captured before he can do any real harm.
