Canadian Guantanamo Detainee Is Charged

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Canadian Guantanamo Detainee Is Charged

Tuesday April 24, 2007 8:01 PM

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - The U.S. military filed murder charges
Tuesday against Omar Khadr, a Canadian who was a teenager when
he was captured in Afghanistan and sent to the Guantanamo Bay
prison in 2002.

Khadr, now 20, also was charged with providing support to terrorism,
attempted murder, conspiracy and spying. He faces a military trial at
the prison in eastern Cuba under rules adopted last year and first
used to try Australian detainee David Hicks.

Khadr is to be arraigned on the charges within 30 days, the military
said.

He allegedly threw a grenade that killed a U.S. Special Forces soldier
while fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan, and allegedly planted
mines targeting American convoys.


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6583505,00.html

[gratuitous]

1. It took five years to bring these charges?

Seems to me that a trial on this fact set could have been brought much sooner. That is, if Mr. Khadr actually threw a grenade five years ago. I wonder who will be the witness against him, or is that whole "right to face one's accusers" another quaint relic from a bygone era, thankfully gone now that Alberto Gonzales is heading up the Department of Justice?

[maddezmom]

2. Guantanamo war court charges Canadian with murder

MIAMI, April 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. military formally charged a young Canadian prisoner with murder and other charges on Tuesday, clearing the way for his trial before the war crimes tribunal at the Guantanamo Bay naval base.

Omar Khadr, 20, was charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, providing material support for terrorism and spying.

He was captured during a gunfight at an alleged al Qaeda compound in Afghanistan when he was just 15 and sent to Guantanamo shortly after his 16th birthday. He would face a life sentence if convicted.

Khadr is accused of murdering one U.S. soldier with a grenade and injuring another during the battle.

Prosecutors drafted the charges in February and they were formally approved on Tuesday by the military judge overseeing the Guantanamo war crimes tribunals, Susan J. Crawford.

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N4O432228.htm

[armodem08]

3. Murder is a war crime?

I thought that was what war was.

[daleo]

4. This has never seemed right to me

Perhaps this boy (15 at the time, by my math) was misled in his support of the Taleban, but his (adopted) country had been invaded by foreign troops and in his mind he was repelling an invader. P.O.W. status would seem more appropriate. Considering his age, this seems harsh and punitive.

[TheGriz]

7. Agree with you about POW status.

Taliban and insurgent fighters of all stripes must be treated as enemy soldiers.

[Demeter]

5. Do They Even Have A Witness?

or is that too much to ask?

[The Stranger]

6. Be sure they keep the records regarding anyone involved with Guantanamo.

The wheels of justice may turn slowly . . .