Bin Laden relative's interrogation questioned in court

NEW YORK, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A deputy U.S. marshal said Osama bin Laden's son-in-law, Suleiman Abu Ghaith, was given the royal treatment on a flight while being interviewed by the FBI.

Brian McHugh, a member of the U.S. marshal's service who was taking notes, testified Ghaith, 47, an al-Qaida spokesman, was interrogated by the FBI aboard a flight to the United States from Jordan, the New York Daily News said.

During the flight Ghaith was allowed to take a nap, was routinely asked if he wanted food or drinks and was even addressed with the courtesy title "sheik" -- which prompted a thank you to FBI officers from Ghaith.

McHugh's account of the flight, given in court Tuesday, is at odds with what Ghaith has claimed was a much rougher ride. His lawyer said Gaith was only given a single orange to eat and soiled himself and urinated on his foot when he was made to use the airplane bathroom in the dark.

Ghaith's legal team is seeking to have information he passed to the FBI during the airplane interview suppressed because he was answering questions "out of a combination of disorientation, fear, isolation, fatigue and sensory deprivation."

McHugh said Ghaith was read his Miranda rights and answered questions willingly.

"He said he was willing to tell his story and answer our questions," the marshal said.