Feinstein: Prosecuting terrorists in US is ‘right decision’

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said it was the “right decision” for the United States to prosecute Russian national Irek Ilgiz Hamidullin for terrorism in federal court.

“Prosecuting Russian national Irek Ilgiz Hamidullin on terrorism charges in federal criminal court is the right decision,” Feinstein said. “Hamidullin faces 12 terrorism counts that could result in his imprisonment for the rest of his life.”

{mosads}Feinstein, who serves as chairwoman on the Senate Intelligence Committee, has been a supporter of the administration’s decision to move detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. court system.

“Federal criminal courts have successfully prosecuted more than 500 terrorism-related cases since 9/11, with a conviction rate near 90 percent,” Feinstein said. “By comparison, military commissions at Guantanamo have resulted in only eight successful terrorism prosecutions and lighter sentences.”

Hamidullin was transferred to the United States from Afghanistan following his indictment on terrorism charges in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. He was believed to have fought along side the Taliban against the United States.