FYROM Court Convicts 33 People of Planning Terrorist Attacks

A court in FYROM (Macedonia) on Thursday convicted 33 people of planning terrorist attacks as members of an ethnic Albanian militant group.

Heavy security, including helicopters flying overhead, protected the court proceedings in Skopje. Armored vehicles and at least 100 police officers deployed around the courthouse to safeguard the participants in the highly anticipated trial.

Seven of the accused were given life sentences, 13 got 40-year sentences, and the rest got sentences of 12 to 20 years, all on charges including terrorism and participating in a terrorist organization.

Four defendants were acquitted. Attorneys for the defendants said the proceedings were "a classic show trial" and derided the length of their clients' sentences.

"We didn't expect fair sentences, but we also didn't expect such a draconian ruling," said attorney Naser Raufi. He called...