Bin Laden driver trial jury out
BayBak, Azerbaijan | 1747 days ago | Tuesday, 5th August , 2008 , 00:55 [am] | International
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. | U.S. PERSPECTIVE
Basbug desires that relations with the United States should be in a form that protects Turkey’s interests. He has criticized the U.S. in the past over its slow reaction to incidents relating to the outlawed PKK; however recent progress between Turkey and the U.S. on this issue has |
A US military jury has retired to consider its verdict after the two-week trial of Osama Bin Laden’s former driver at Guantanamo Bay.
Yemeni Salim Hamdan faces life in prison if convicted of conspiracy and supporting terrorism.
In closing arguments, the prosecution said he played a “vital role” in the conspiracy behind the 9/11 attacks.
But defence lawyers said he was a low-level employee, who was “not even an al-Qaeda member”.
Mr Hamdan, who was captured in Afghanistan in November 2001, has pleaded not guilty and his defence team say he worked for wages, not to wage war on America.
Mr Hamdan has acknowledged working for Bin Laden in Afghanistan from 1997 to 2001 for $200 (£99) a month, but denies being part of al-Qaeda or taking part in any attacks.
He is the first prisoner to be tried by the US for war crimes since World War II.
The jury ended its initial deliberations after 45 minutes on Monday, and will resume on Tuesday morning.
‘Guilt by association’
In its closing argument, the prosecution described Mr Hamdan as a loyal supporter of Osama Bin Laden, who protected the al-Qaeda leader knowing his goals included killing Americans.
“Al-Qaeda aimed to literally take down the West, to kill thousands, and they have; to create economic havoc, and they have.
“They needed enthusiastic, uncontrollably enthusiastic warriors, like that accused, right there, Salim Hamdan,” said justice department prosecutor John Murphy.
Lawyers for Mr Hamdan said not one witness had testified that Mr Hamdan played any part in terrorist attacks. They questioned the fairness of the trial, which began on 21 July.
“This is a classic case of guilt by association,” said Lieutenant Commander Brian Mizer, a military defence lawyer appointed by the Pentagon.
“Mr Hamdan is not an al-Qaeda warrior, he is not al-Qaeda’s last line of defence – he’s not even an al-Qaeda member,” said Mr Mizer.
Black hole
About 270 suspects remain in detention in Guantanamo Bay.
Among the dozens of other inmates due to be tried there in the coming months are men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks.
Human rights campaigners have accused the court of operating in a legal black hole.
They and the other accused will be watching the out come of the Hamdan trial closely, correspondents say.bbc
, Voice of a Nation[1] Print
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- 27/10/2010 Bin Laden in warning to France
- 12/07/2007 Briton marries bin Laden’s son
- 05/06/2007 Judges throw out Guantanamo cases
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[...] Bin Laden driver trial jury out. US PERSPECTIVE Basbug desires that relations with the United States should be in a form that protects Turkey’s interests. He has criticized the US in the past over its slow reaction to incidents relating to the outlawed PKK; … [...]
Look there is no need for trials as the new Legal System is in place. We once had a Legal System that said a person was innocent until proven guilty, a system that set charges and bail before a trial. Now your guilty before the trial and even if your found not guilty you will remain in jail for a rest of your life. All this because you accepted a job as a chauffeur. Now it doesn’t matter if your a chauffeur or janitor your guilty because you have a bad boss. So many wealthy Americans and CEO’s have drivers even the Rich Families like the Kennedy’s, Bush’s and Rockafellows all have drivers let’s hope other countries don’t take up the new Bush Policy. Who will drive the rich? All the persons in Gitmo were guilty before they were arrested. The trials are for show only and if a person were to do the right thing they would be fired.Â