by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
DDC COURTHOUSE, March 31 – Nizar Trabelsi was indicted in 2006 for being a member of Al Qaeda who conspired to kill Americans overseas.
On March 30, 2023, brought into court by two US Marshals, Trebelsi appeared before U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Randolph D. Moss. Inner City Press was there, the only civilian in DDC Courtroom 8.
Trabelsi belatedly faces trial in May 2023, and wants to represent himself, with Marc Eisenstein of Coburn & Greenbaum as his stand-by counsel.
Judge Moss' initial questions were designed to ascertain if Trabelsi understands that he is in charge of his own representation and will have no grounds to appeal based on ineffective assistant of counsel if he is convicted.
Trabelsi repeatedly got up from the defense table to move to the podium - and was stopped by a Marshal. He asked the (French) interpreter to read to Judge Moss a letter to him from his previous counsel, adding that he has not been able to read all the motions filed on his behalf and would like them translated.
Judge Moss said that on this, and getting a second stand-by counsel, Eisenstein can apply to him for more CJA funds. It was unclear if such requests would be docketed on PACER.
Trabelsi, who was a professional soccer player, was extradited to the US from Belgium, and was then awarded damages for violation of rights. There appear to be no photographs of him since he has been in the US - straight from prison to cameraless court.
Overall, a May trial seemed unlikely, particularly given Eisenstein's statement that he'd like to visit Guantanamo for interviews. But Inner City Press, now in DDC as well, will stay on the case. It is US v. Trabelsi, 06-cr-89 (RBM)
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