Moussaoui Requests New Trial

A courtroom artist's drawing of Zacarias Moussaoui during his trial (epa) May 8, 2006 -- Alleged Al-Qaeda member Zacarias Moussaoui says he wants to withdraw his plea of guilty in connection with the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States, and to have a new trial.

His lawyers said that when he entered the guilty plea his understanding of the U.S. legal system was completely flawed.

Moussaoui said in an affadavit that he now realizes that it is possible to have "a fair trial" in the United States.

A jury rejected prosecutors calls for a death penalty May 3 and called for Moussaoui to be jailed for life without parole after he admitted to six charges of conspiracy in the attacks.

(AFP)