1) There is no transcript provided from the accused as yet, so we can only speculate on their testimony for now. Others brought to trial in the past have admitted (truthfully or not) to the deed/deeds they were convicted of. Time will tell for these men...

2) People from different cultures/backgrounds/life experiences may think differently than you or I. What one considers wrong/hypocritical may be perfectly legitimate or justifiable to others. Taking advantage of another cultures system against itself, especially when one feels to be at war, is certainly not unheard of.

3) Committing acts of terror against civilian populations has been happening since recorded history. It doesn't have to make sense to you or I as an effective tactic, it just has to make sense to the perpetrators.

4) Premeditated mass murder for the purposes of terror, if proven, they deserve a living death sentence. No contact with the outside world, limited human contact with prison staff only (medical, religious, security). Give them their Koran and a lifetime of quiet solitude to reflect upon the path they have chosen.