Sept. 11 terrorist deported from Germany after serving 15 years in prison

BERLIN — A Moroccan man convicted of helping Mohamed Atta and the other Hamburg-based Sept. 11 suicide pilots as they plotted their attacks on New York and Washington was deported Monday from Germany to his native country.

Mounir el Motassadeq, who was convicted of membership in a terrorist organization and accessory to the murder of the 246 passengers and crew on the four jetliners used in the 2001 attacks, was flown by helicopter from a Hamburg prison on Monday. Blindfolded and hands and ankles in shackles, the 44-year-old was then led to another aircraft while other heavily armed police patrolled the area and watched from rooftops.

Authorities wouldn’t comment on the operation for security reasons. “It’s a good feeling to know that Mr.