Murder charges
June 22, 2011
United States prosecutors have charged a Kosovo man with murder and attempted murder over the fatal shooting of American airman at Frankfurt International Airport in March.
Arid Uka, 21, stands accused of opening fire on a bus of US soldiers, killing two and injuring two others in what has been described as the first Islamic extremist attack on German soil.
"As Uka fired his gun, he repeated aloud an Arabic expression that means 'God is great,' and continued shooting until his gun did not fire," said a statement issued by federal prosecutors in New York.
Revenge attack
Uka is alleged to have approached the bus outside Frankfurt airport on March 2 and to have asked whether it was carrying Americans, before opening fire.
After fatally shooting airman Nicholas Alden from behind, the gunmen boarded the bus, killing driver Zachary Cuddeback and spraying the inside of the vehicle with bullets.
Arid Uka was detained by German authorities shortly afterwards.
The accused is suspected to have carried out the attack to avenge apparent atrocities carried out by US troops in Afghanistan, but is believed to have no links with terrorist groups.
It is unclear whether Tuesday's charges mean he will be tried in the United States.
He also faces murder charges in Germany, where he is currently being detained.
Author: Charlotte Chelsom-Pill (AFP, dpa)
Editor: Martin Kuebler