Guantanamo Trial..... is this justice ?

[vegster]

So, Osama Bin Ladens driver has been found guilty after a "Military Tribunal".... he was convicted by a jury consisting of U.S. Military officers..... now is this real, transparant justice ?

I am not a left wing tree-hugger but surely this cannot be legal ? Is the International Court in The Hauge aware of this ?

 

[Da Man Clay]

Doesn't sound very legal!

 

[BigGully]

So, Osama Bin Ladens driver has been found guilty after a "Military Tribunal".... he was convicted by a jury consisting of U.S. Military officers..... now is this real, transparant justice ?

I am not a left wing tree-hugger but surely this cannot be legal ? Is the International Court in The Hauge aware of this ?

'Osama Bin Ladens Driver' !!!

Where exactly was he driving him ?

Firstly was he definately his driver and secondly what has he been found guilty of

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

Bin Laden ex-driver found guilty
Sketch of Salim Hamdan by courtroom artist Janet Hamlin, reviewed by the US Military
This was the first US war crimes trial since World War II

A US military jury at Guantanamo Bay has convicted Osama Bin Laden's former driver of supporting terrorism.

The verdict on Salim Hamdan is the first to be delivered in a full war crimes trial at the US prison in Cuba. Sentencing begins later on Wednesday.

The jury found Hamdan guilty of five of eight charges of supporting terrorism but acquitted him of two separate, more serious, charges of conspiracy.

The White House said the trial was fair and looked forward to more tribunals.

The defence team said it would appeal.

'Vital role'

Hamdan, a Yemeni, was initially impassive when the verdict began to be read out, but the BBC's Kim Ghattas, at the trial, said he later appeared to break down in tears.

Hamdan, who is about 40 and was captured in Afghanistan in November 2001, faces a maximum life sentence when the sentencing hearing gets under way later on Wednesday.


HAMDAN CHARGES
Conspiracy:
Found not guilty on two counts of conspiring with al-Qaeda to attack civilians, destroy property and commit murder
Providing support for terrorism:
Found guilty on five counts, including being the driver and bodyguard for Osama Bin Laden, a man he knew to be the leader of a terrorist group
Found not guilty on three other counts

One of the defence lawyers, Michael Berrigan, said: "Is material support a war crime? The defence believes it is not. That issue will go forward on appeal."

Our correspondent says the case could go as far as the Supreme Court.

The jury of six military officers had deliberated for about eight hours over three days in the first US war crimes trial since World War II.

The prosecution had said Hamdan played a "vital role" in the conspiracy behind the 9/11 attacks. But defence lawyers said he was a low-level employee.

The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says US President George W Bush will hope to use the conclusion of the first full trial as evidence that the Guantanamo Bay system does actually work.

In its first response, the White House said Hamdan had received a "fair trial".

Spokesman Tony Fratto said: "The Military Commission system is a fair and appropriate legal process... We look forward to other cases moving forward to trial."

However, defence lawyers had said they feared a guilty verdict was inevitable and that the system was geared to convict.

'Guilt by association'

Hamdan had admitted working for Bin Laden in Afghanistan from 1997 to 2001 for $200 (£99) a month, but said he worked for wages, not to make war on the US.

Guantanamo Bay in Cuba
About 270 suspects remain in detention in Guantanamo Bay

The defence said the case was "guilt by association".

But the prosecution said Hamdan was an "uncontrollably enthusiastic warrior" for al-Qaeda.

Prosecutor John Murphy had said: "He has wounded, and the people he has worked with have wounded, the world."

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.

 

[BigGully]

Bin Laden ex-driver found guilty
Sketch of Salim Hamdan by courtroom artist Janet Hamlin, reviewed by the US Military
This was the first US war crimes trial since World War II

A US military jury at Guantanamo Bay has convicted Osama Bin Laden's former driver of supporting terrorism.

The verdict on Salim Hamdan is the first to be delivered in a full war crimes trial at the US prison in Cuba. Sentencing begins later on Wednesday.

The jury found Hamdan guilty of five of eight charges of supporting terrorism but acquitted him of two separate, more serious, charges of conspiracy.

The White House said the trial was fair and looked forward to more tribunals.

The defence team said it would appeal.

'Vital role'

Hamdan, a Yemeni, was initially impassive when the verdict began to be read out, but the BBC's Kim Ghattas, at the trial, said he later appeared to break down in tears.

Hamdan, who is about 40 and was captured in Afghanistan in November 2001, faces a maximum life sentence when the sentencing hearing gets under way later on Wednesday.


HAMDAN CHARGES
Conspiracy:
Found not guilty on two counts of conspiring with al-Qaeda to attack civilians, destroy property and commit murder
Providing support for terrorism:
Found guilty on five counts, including being the driver and bodyguard for Osama Bin Laden, a man he knew to be the leader of a terrorist group
Found not guilty on three other counts

One of the defence lawyers, Michael Berrigan, said: "Is material support a war crime? The defence believes it is not. That issue will go forward on appeal."

Our correspondent says the case could go as far as the Supreme Court.

The jury of six military officers had deliberated for about eight hours over three days in the first US war crimes trial since World War II.

The prosecution had said Hamdan played a "vital role" in the conspiracy behind the 9/11 attacks. But defence lawyers said he was a low-level employee.

The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says US President George W Bush will hope to use the conclusion of the first full trial as evidence that the Guantanamo Bay system does actually work.

In its first response, the White House said Hamdan had received a "fair trial".

Spokesman Tony Fratto said: "The Military Commission system is a fair and appropriate legal process... We look forward to other cases moving forward to trial."

However, defence lawyers had said they feared a guilty verdict was inevitable and that the system was geared to convict.

'Guilt by association'

Hamdan had admitted working for Bin Laden in Afghanistan from 1997 to 2001 for $200 (£99) a month, but said he worked for wages, not to make war on the US.

Guantanamo Bay in Cuba
About 270 suspects remain in detention in Guantanamo Bay

The defence said the case was "guilt by association".

But the prosecution said Hamdan was an "uncontrollably enthusiastic warrior" for al-Qaeda.

Prosecutor John Murphy had said: "He has wounded, and the people he has worked with have wounded, the world."

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.

"uncontrollably enthusiastic warrior" for al-Qaeda.

Very likely, wouldnt suspect that he found the job in the 'Friday Ad' .. !!

 

[vegster]

"uncontrollably enthusiastic warrior" for al-Qaeda.

Very likely, wouldnt suspect that he found the job in the 'Friday Ad' .. !!

how would large parts of the Arab world view the man who puts the little Stars and Stripes badge on to George W's Lapel in the morning ?

 

[Easy 10]

Firstly was he definately his driver and secondly what has he been found guilty of

Faulty tail light, I understand.

 

[Questions]

He was just a taxi driver but if he hadn`t gone around bragging about ''Guess who I ad in me cab today mate''

 

[butchy]

Its probably not justice but who even cares? He was working for a terrorist war lord. Hes not exactly squeaky clean is he

 

[vegster]

Its probably not justice but who even cares? He was working for a terrorist war lord. Hes not exactly squeaky clean is he

none of us are "Exactly Squeaky Clean"...... this is how it starts.....the collapse of justice ,equality, cod stocks

 

[NMH]

In that kind of world, he was probably bin-Laden's right hand man.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Yep - they must have all the big cheeses locked up there.

 

[DJ Leon]

Wait til they get hold of his dry cleaner.

 

[Seagull Stew]

Its probably not justice but who even cares? He was working for a terrorist war lord. Hes not exactly squeaky clean is he

So if you were a taxi driver in Afghanistan and you were asked by a member of Al Qaeda to be Bin Laden's chauffeur, you'd turn him down saying that you did not want to work for a terrorist war lord?

 

[BigGully]

So if you were a taxi driver in Afghanistan and you were asked by a member of Al Qaeda to be Bin Laden's chauffeur, you'd turn him down saying that you did not want to work for a terrorist war lord?

Dont be silly, I am guessing it wasnt arranged so randomly !!

I would suspect that he was promoted from within, for his unstinting loyalty and support of Bin Laden and his cohorts, you know the ones, that have been driving planes into tall buildings killing 1000's of innocents ( I mean infidels ), remember !!

 

[backson]

"The US believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings" - Top US stand up comedian George W Bush, overnight on way to Olympics.

Irony, huh?

 

[butchy]

So if you were a taxi driver in Afghanistan and you were asked by a member of Al Qaeda to be Bin Laden's chauffeur, you'd turn him down saying that you did not want to work for a terrorist war lord?

isnt that a monty python sketch?

 

[barney]

isnt that a monty python sketch?

you missed out last night

 

[Nibble]

"Look mate, you are gonna 'ave to tell me which cave, we could be driving round all bleeding night"

 

[User removed 4]

"Look mate, you are gonna 'ave to tell me which cave, we could be driving round all bleeding night"