Kosovan confesses to shooting U.S. airmen in Germany

By Jonathan Gould

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - A 21-year-old Kosovo Albanian man confessed to shooting dead two U.S. airmen and wounding two more at Frankfurt airport in March, telling a packed German court Wednesday he was swayed by Islamist lies and could not undo what he had done.

Arid Uka, who wore jeans, trainers and a long white shirt for the start of his trial, was charged with two counts of murder and three of attempted murder. He faces a life sentence.

Pausing to wipe away tears, Uka told the court he felt he had to act after he was shocked by a video the night before the attack that appeared to show U.S. soldiers raping Muslim women.

"I had to do something, I had these pictures in my head," he said in halting but good German.

Shown a video similar to the one that inspired his actions, Uka covered his eyes with his hands and wiped his face with a tissue. Hanging his head over his desk, he then sobbed silently.

Although Uka was born in Kosovo, he went to school in Frankfurt. He said he had discussed religion and politics with an American friend.

Uka, who at times spoke so quietly an extra microphone had to be brought in, said he had been influenced by lies and propaganda and appeared to show some remorse. "Looking back, I don't understand myself."

He winced when slides were shown of the aftermath of the shooting. Some images seen by the court included graphic scenes, such as a funnel-shaped trail of blood over one of the seats in the bus where he opened fire.