Arid Uka had confessed to shooting unarmed American airmen at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, as a result of “Islamist propaganda.”  Under the process of German law, Uka was still required to be tried.

Uka was found guilty (with “severe guilt”) and sentenced to life in prison.  In Germany, that means he’ll serve 18-20 years before he’s eligible for parole.

That was the maximum sentence available.

Robert Cuddeback, Zachary’s father…said he was glad the German system worked.

“I know he received the longest sentence Germany allows. It won’t bring Zack or Nick back. Nothing will.”

The US has reportedly “declined to say” whether they were seeking extradition to try Uka in the US, where he would likely be eligible for the death penalty — though, if asked, Germany would probably only extradite him if that possibility was removed.

Uka was one of 12 planned or attempted attacks on the US military by those who were apparently motivated by their Islamic faith, four of whom were actually in the US military:

• Fort Hood attack thwarted (PFC Abdo, 2011)
• Shots fired at Pentagon, other military bldgs (Marine Reservist Yonathan Melaku, 2010)
• Fort Hood massacre kills 14 (Army Maj Hasan, 2009)
• Fragging in Kuwait by Army Sgt Hasan Akbar (2003) (death sentence on appeal)

And:

• Pipe bomb attack thwarted (Jose Pimentel, 2011)
• Remote control airplane Pentagon attack thwarted (Rezwan Ferdaus, 2011)
• Seattle recruiting station attack thwarted (2011)
• Frankfurt airport attack kills 2 US Airmen (Arid Uka, 2011, life sentence)
• Baltimore recruiting center bomb thwarted (Antonio Martinez, 2010, 25-year sentence)
• Quantico attack by Raleigh jihadists thwarted (6 multi-decade prison sentences, 2009)
• Arkansas recruiting station attack by Abdulhakim Muhammad (2009, life without parole)
• Fort Dix attack thwarted (2007) (6 convictions, 4 life sentences)