Yemeni Jew slayer demands US lawyer

Sana'a: A Yemeni militant, accused of killing his Jewish compatriot asked to be represented by American lawyers and rejected four Yemeni lawyers who attended the first hearing in the northern city of Amran Saturday.

In a hearing chaired by judge, Abdul Bari Aqabah, the court heard charges and evidence against Abdul Azeez Al Abdi, who confessed to killing the Yemeni Jew, Mousa Yaish Al Nahari, on December 11.

The accused claimed he killed Al Nahari "to get closer to Allah" saying he warned the Jews months ago either to convert to Islam or to leave the country.

He rejected the Yemeni lawyers who volunteered to defend him, saying he preferred an American lawyer chosen by the US embassy in Sana'a.

His logic was that Yemeni lawyers could be killed but an American lawyer could be protected.