Bin Laden sons lash out at US over killing

The sons of Osama bin Laden have described his death as an ‘arbitrary killing’ and an ‘assassination’ by the United States.

In a statement given to the New York Times, they accuse the US of breaking international law and questioning why their father was not arrested instead.

The document was prepared at the request of Omar Bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader’s fourth son. Omar has in the past distanced himself from extremist violence. In 2004 he said: “I plan to be a peace ambassador. I think I can try to help people. Everybody should be a peace ambassador, not just me and you.”

Osama Bin Laden was killed when US Navy Seals stormed his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Three of his wives were detained following the raid. Omar bin Laden’s statement calls for the relatives to be released.

The US Attorney General says killing bin Laden was an act of national self-defence because he had declared war on America.

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