Americans accused of torturing Afghans in private jail go on trial

[Judi Lynn]

Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Americans accused of torturing Afghans in private jail go on trial


Associated Press


KABUL, Afghanistan - Three Americans accused of torturing Afghans in a private jail during a freelance counterterror mission went on trial Wednesday, with their North Carolina ringleader denying any wrongdoing and claiming active U.S. government support.

Jonathan K. Idema, Brett Bennett and Edward Caraballo were arrested when Afghan security forces raided a house in Kabul on July 5. American and Afghan officials say they were vigilantes posing as U.S. special forces and had no official backing.

Appearing before a three-judge panel in a national security court, the three listened quietly to the charges including hostage-taking and torture, and as three of their ex-detainees described how they were beaten, doused with boiling water and deprived of food.

The Americans didn't testify. Idema, formerly of Fayetteville, N.C., said afterward that the abuse allegations were invented. He also said he was in regular phone and e-mail contact with Pentagon officials "at the highest level."
(snip/...)

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031776814497&path=%21localnews&s=1037645509099

[rpannier]

1. They Should have worked with the shrubbies

and wore stars on their shoulders...then they'd have been exhonerated.

[seemslikeadream]

4. DU history on Idema

'Freelance' US fighter identified
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=673846
Americans Arrested in Kabul Abused Prisoners in Private Jail, Officials Say
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=673337
Pride, prison shadow Idema
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=677019
Kabul bounty hunters search for bin Laden
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=679146

[daleo]

2. A lot can happen in two weeks

There will probably be some kind of deal, to let these guys go. It sounds like this guy Idema has something on someone (maybe Rummy). Karzai will want something in return - maybe just lots of money for the Swiss bank accounts.

"An official from the U.S. Embassy observed the trial but declined to comment on the proceedings, where only one of the Americans was represented by a lawyer.

Presiding Judge Abdul Baset Bakhtyari adjourned the case for at least two weeks to give the Americans and four Afghans accused of helping them more time to prepare their defense."

[Rose Siding]

3. Says he 'named an official' to reporters

but they didn't print the name!

snip>
Speaking to reporters crowding round the dock, Idema named a Pentagon official who allegedly asked the group to go "under contract" _ an offer they refused.

[true grit]

5. Bubba Fett??