Agca, prepared for release, promises answers on attempted assassination of John Paul II
January 13, 2010
Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish gunman who shot and wounded Pope John Paul II in May 1981, has promised that he will answer questions about the assassination attempt after his scheduled release from a Turkish prison next week.
In an English-language message released by his lawyers, Agca acknowledged that his attempt on the life of Pope John Paul II has given rise to many questions about the possible involvement of Communist-bloc intelligence agencies. “I will answer to all of these questions in the next weeks,” he said.
Agca’s credibility in answering those questions might be open to question. In his characteristically emotional and disconnected statement, he condemned terrorism and called for the establishment of “a new American empire” to bring world peace and democracy. Last year Agca said that he wants to return to St. Peter’s Square, the scene of the assassination attempt, to be baptized there.
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Further information:
- Gunman who shot Pope John Paul II to be released (AP)
- Pope John Paul II gunman calls for "new American Empire" (Reuters)
- Agca's lawyer confirms: papal assailant wants to become Catholic (CWN 5/15/2009)
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Posted by: extremeCatholic -
Jan. 13, 2010 8:31 PM ET USA
The consequence of turning this reprehensible man into a Islamic celebrity is simply to encourage more assassination. This recently with the case with the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, surviving eight months after being given two months to live. If Agca is sincere about baptism, he doesn't need lawyers and publicists to be baptised.
